They might not have returned from the future to protect the human race from time-traveling Terminators, but the Bonney Lake High School Robotics team is back on the field to compete in the FIRST Robotics district competitions.
This will be the team’s second districts competition since the team was formed in 2009.
“The idea was always to go to districts but this year we’ve got a good working team of students that have really knuckled down and made things happen,” said team mentor Matthew Goecks.
The team will be competing at Eastern Washington University from April 1 to 4.
“We were worried this year because we were really freshmen heavy,” Goecks said, describing how the team lost three graduated seniors. “But the sophomore and the juniors returning really stepped up and created a really strong leadership group.”
Recycle Rush
Goecks said this year’s event was a little different from others.
“We’re not competing against the other side,” said Goecks. “We are working in teams this year and picking up the container totes, the ones with the lids and a recycle can.”
This year’s theme, “Recycle Rush,” has teams picking up and stacking tote boxes and cylindrical recycling bins. Teams of thee schools work together to stack the containers as high as possible – the higher the stack, the more points the teams earn.
These teams of three do compete with other schools, but simply out-scoring an opposing team doesn’t move a team forward in the competition. Bonney Lake teamed up with Kent and Spanaway Lake High Schools for the regional competition and are sitting comfortably with a total of 65 points. To qualify for state, most teams need to score between 47 and 53 points, according to Goecks.
Highlights from the Auburn Mountainview High School regional competition, featuring the Bonney Lake team, can be watched at here.
Funding
Getting to districts isn’t a problem for the team this year, but Goecks said it may present a problem for next year’s team.
“Right now, as it sits, we have enough to get ourselves to district,” he said. “But that also takes away our budget for next year.”
Additionally, if the team qualifies for the world competition in St. Louis, they wouldn’t have the funds to make it there.
Goecks said experts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math education) fields and other residents could help the team in numerous ways. “Maybe they have expertise in programing and they can donate their time, if not donate financially, to a worthwhile cause,” said Goecks. “This would help this engineering program and the robotics program be something that could be recognized throughout the state.”
“We are trying to give these kids opportunities that foster growth, teamwork and help them when they get off into college.”
Reach Ray Still at rstill@courierherald.com or 360-825-2555 ext. 5058. Follow him on Twitter @rayscottstill for more news, pictures and local events.
