Robots used to be merely a thing of sci-fi stories such as Star Wars. However, the past few years have made it apparent that robotics will be an essential part of the world’s future.
The East Islip Robotics program is an excellent way for students interested in the field to acquire and apply the skills necessary to become successful engineers. Over the course of three years, students taking these classes will design, construct, and code robots to be used to compete against each other in a series of games.
During the first year of Robotics – Robotics I, students split up into teams to work on robots with one another using a packet of instructions that will eventually be taken away as they improve as if they are children learning how to swim, saying goodbye to their floaties and life jackets. By the time they get to their second and third years (Robotics II and III), students will have to purely rely on their knowledge of robotics in order to succeed.
In Robotics II and III, students will become bigger parts of the team, making robots for annual competitions and events related to STEAM, as well as learning how to fly drones. Every year, the robotics company, VEX comes up with games for robots built by teams across many different schools to play against each other in tournaments. East Islip’s team has experienced frequent success in these competitions.
When asked what he thought about this year’s team, Mr. Connell, who teaches the class and advises the school’s robotics club said, “Even though our group was small in number, the knowledge we had was vast.”
Additionally, Jackson Carucci, a co-president of the robotics club said, in reference to the club, “I think it’s great, it just opens up new opportunities for everyone involved.”
In addition to competitions, robotics students will also build contraptions to be displayed to kids from the district on STEAM day and night. Many robotics club members such as William Blaschuk and I spent months diligently working on these displays.
Introducing robotics to the next generation at an early age is a good way of getting them interested in getting involved once they’re old enough.
Now more than ever robotics is significant in the world and East Islip has put in rigorous work to ensure a positive future for their engineers. If you or someone you know is interested in a career in the field, joining East Islip Robotics is an ideal way to start!
