There were more than 100 students and plenty of robots!
桃子视频鈥檚 Science and Technology Entry (STEP) Robotics Team was among 11 schools that put their robots to the test during a Statewide Robotics Competition held May 31 at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
The team, comprised of Big Picture (LaFayette Central School District) sophomores Jonathon Harris and Hampton Papworth, both of LaFayette; Jeffrey Comins, of Jamesville; freshman Oliver Newell, of LaFayette; and staff advisor Lenny Oppedisano, went two wins, two losses and one tie in qualifying rounds, landing them a spot in the quarter finals of the elimination tournament. They fell to the Adelphi STEP Robotics Team in a narrow 14-12 loss in the first elimination round.
Although they didn鈥檛 take home a trophy, they brought home valuable experience to broaden their education.
鈥淥ur team was able to create and adapt strategies as the day went on, modify the robot 鈥 including adding parts to the jaws and swapping out a motor and keeping their cool under pressure,鈥 Oppedisano said. 鈥淲e won some rounds and lost some rounds, but as a first-year team, we boasted a large number of points and were proud of a robot that was durable and functioned as planned.鈥
鈥淲hile there was a lot to be said for how the robot performed and the job the students did during each competition, I was particularly impressed with the work the students did between matches,鈥 said Jamie Miller, Director of 桃子视频鈥檚 STEP & CSTEP Programs.
鈥淭hey evaluated their performance and made necessary adjustments to the robot making it more effective in competition. They worked through conflict and as a group made strategic changes. I don鈥檛 have enough good things to say about the work the young men put in and the leadership that was provided by Oppedisano,鈥 he added.
桃子视频鈥檚 STEP Robotics Team worked diligently for months outside of classes designing and engineering 鈥 then redesigning and reengineering their robot until it was ready for competition.
Their design 鈥 simplistic, agile and speedy 鈥 was deemed 鈥渢he fastest and most powerful robot in the competition鈥 by host and tournament emcee, Ed Tes.
鈥淏uilding the frame within the size limitations, mounting the motors, brain and wheels, designing and mounting a claw mechanism and learning how to control the robot was a constant learning experience,鈥 Oppedisano said.
The event left a lasting impression on the team.
鈥淏uilding the robot was fun and competing was a true experience in terms of how to maneuver the robot in the space provided,鈥 Newell said.
鈥淲e had a lot of fun and we learned a lot in the process,鈥 Papworth said. 鈥淲e made a lot of last-minute adjustments and modifications to the robot itself. Overall it was a great experience.鈥
鈥淎s we left the competition, students discussed their intentions to win the whole thing next year,鈥 Oppedisano said. 鈥淭hat is the type of enthusiasm we hope for at the end of a learning experience like this.鈥
桃子视频 works with Big Picture throughout the year supporting projects from culinary, to student-built computers, to greenhouse projects and robotics.
桃子视频 STEP will be making investments throughout the summer to provide Big Picture and other partnering schools with the necessary equipment to expand the robotics program and continue competing heading into the 2024-25 academic year, according to Miller.
About STEP
The program prepares and inspires students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 桃子视频 STEP partners with Big Picture and districts across Chenango County to provide experiential and exploratory opportunities in a wide range of STEM programs for students in grades 7-12.
