Meet the Creator
When I first started in robotics in 5th grade, my initial task was simply assembling a robot by following a manual. This hands-on experience, while valuable, left me craving a deeper understanding of the principles behind the assembly. My pursuit of knowledge led me through a maze of websites and videos, highlighting a significant gap in accessible, comprehensive robotics education. Although still lacking a solid foundation I aspired to innovate and moved forward to create my own robot from scratch. I relied on personal experience, training with older teams, and online resources. Personalized guidance and fundamental learning resources were scarce, often leaving me confused and frustrated as I spend hours going through the internet, desperately searching for answers.
In 2022, the resignation of the robotics coach at my school underscored the challenges faced by beginners in the field, as younger teams struggled without guidance. Witnessing their difficulties, I felt compelled to intervene, offering informal advice and support to these teams. This experience highlighted the critical need for a structured, comprehensive educational resource in robotics.
By late 2023, motivated by the clear demand for a more formalized learning framework, I decided to expand my efforts into a full-fledged program. My aim was to create a singular, cohesive platform that would provide learners with a clear pathway from basic concepts to more advanced applications in robotics, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience, all within a collaborative and supportive environment. My ultimate goal is to offer the mentorship and structured education that I once lacked, making it easier for newcomers to not only engage with but also excel in the field of robotics.
During the program's development, challenges arose. The first involved organizing the extensive information in robotics, with its diverse topics and nuances. To tackle this, I categorized everything into building, coding, and notebooking, then further divided it into manageable segments.
The second challenge was teaching in a way that resonated with the students. While some were deeply engaged, others struggled to grasp concepts. To address this, I taught at a slower pace, provided simpler examples, encouraged questions, and introduced interactive games like Kahoots to reinforce learning.
When I initiated the robotics program, I anticipated focusing primarily on educational content but soon encountered unexpected technical challenges. Building a user-friendly website, managing registrations, creating social media advertisements, and setting up automated email communications were all tasks I hadn't fully prepared for. These aspects required me to quickly learn and adapt to new digital tools and strategies. Thankfully, I received invaluable assistance from my parents. This experience broadened my digital skills and problem solving abilities.
AWARDS
Sportsmanship Award at Speedway Signature Event
The Sportsmanship Award recognizes a high degree of good sportsmanship, helpfulness, respect, and a positive attitude both on and off the competition field.
Design Award at Indiana State Championship
The Design Award recognizes a team's ability to document and explain their Engineering Design Process via an Engineering Notebook and Team Interview.
Inspire Award at World Championship
The Inspire Award recognizes passion for the competition and positivity at the event.
9 Regional awards: Judges, Design, and Excellence
The Excellence Award recognizes overall excellence in both the Judged Award and the Performance Award categories. The Excellence Award is the highest award in VEX IQ. The Judges award is presented to a team worthy of special recognition.