After a 2 month robot-building journey together, Kent’s FIRST Robotics Team has finally built and wrapped up its robot, which is already ready for the qualifying rounds of the FIRST Robotics Competition held during the first week of spring break.

The team endured interesting six weeks together, with every member certainly making the most from this experience. Back in December 2014, a group of 20 mixed-ability individuals got together with the common interest in the engineering field. Although there were some tough times over the weeks, the members were able to get their heads together and finish building their ambitious “Bakery Rack” styled robot.

The FIRST Robotics Competition has the mission “to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” The journey that Kent engineers took certainly has embodied this spirit of the competition.

Team advisor Mr. Matthew Austin concludes this season by saying, “this year’s robotics team more-than doubled in size and acquired a new coach: Ms. Jenna Hobeika. With her experience in mechanical engineering and machinery, Ms. Hobeika guided the team’s efforts to build its most-ambitious robot ever.”

Students working with both Mr. Austin and Ms. Hobeika this year gained an intense training in “design, project management, teamwork, manufacturing, troubleshooting, electronics, programming, and strategic planning,” according to Mr. Austin. Finally in the March competition, they will be able to witness how well their creation does against other schools’ creations.