AIS Robotics Team Wraps Up Successful Season

By Gordana Goudie, Media and Communications Manager

The AIS robotics team’s intensive preparation for the Peachtree Regional FIRST Robotics Competition brought rewards on Saturday, March 15 when Team iHOT 1414 won the quarter final and came in third out of 45 teams, during the qualifying round. The team members had invested hundreds of hours six weeks prior to the competition to build the robot that led them to stand their ground against 54 other regional teams and take one of the top positions in the competition.

Focus on Learning

Despite the impressive results, winning is not the focal point of the program. “It’s good to do well, but it’s the knowledge and learning that comes out that’s important,” remarked Bob Geiger, AIS faculty member and team mentor. And, according to team members, the learning takes place on many levels. Students develop the technical skills necessary to build a fully functioning robot but they also gain important insights into the processes behind technical projects. Erons Ohienmhen, grade 12 student who took on the role of team leader at the competition this year explained, “As a result of being on the team, I have a greater appreciation of how technology is produced. You don’t know how much time, material and planning is involved in building a robot until you take part in the program.”

In addition to honing specific skills, students also learn the value of collaboration and team spirit and form meaningful friendships during the six weeks of preparation for the competition. “I have new friends now. You spend so much time with your team members that they become your family for six weeks,” said Andrea Pava, engineering team member who joined iHOT 1414 this year.

The program is also known for its ability to develop students’ leadership skills. Team Captain Adrien Pellerin, who joined the program five years ago, added, “Over the five years, I have grown as a leader and programmer. The program has given me the experience to go into the business world and the technology field.”

Success Beyond the Robotics Program

Since it was established five years ago, the robotics program has raised awareness of science and technology at AIS, and robotics team members are enjoying success beyond the program and the FIRST competition. Last year, Matthew Keeter from the class of 2007 was accepted at the highly selective private college of science, engineering and mathematics, Harvey Mudd, in California. This year, Erons Ohienmhen received the eagerly awaited news that he is accepted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Variety of Participation Levels

However, the robotics program at AIS is not about technology alone. Bob Geiger pointed out that the program is not designed purely for math- and science-oriented students and that opportunities abound for students to participate in other areas such as public relations, finance and spirit. “People think robotics is super tech and only for nerds and math whizzes or only for boys. But actually, it’s for everyone. There are different involvement levels,” he stated. Another important aspect of the competition is its entertainment value, which Geiger claimed to be equivalent to a sports or theatre event and described it as having “an energy and fun level that’s quite captivating.”

Significance of Sponsorship

Sponsors play a crucial role in the success of the robotics program at AIS. The registration fee for the FIRST organization that enables the team to compete is $6,000, and this amount excludes the costs of building the robot. The team has benefited from various forms of support since its establishment from companies such as Clyde Bergemann, Siemens, Patillo Construction, John Whitehead, and The C. Tycho & Marie Howle Foundation, which indicates that sponsors see the value in investing in tomorrow by nurturing young talent today.

Clyde Bergemann, for example, provided an internship for team leader, Erons Ohienmhen, last summer during which he learned a new design program that the team used to build this year’s robot. Ohienmhen described his first internship experience as follows, “I thought I wouldn’t do much, but the opposite happened. I worked with two engineering designers who treated me like a co-worker and really included me in everything. They had me work on real projects like drafting a picture manual of how to assemble entire soot blowers for power utilities. Every day was different. There was no mundane work. I didn’t expect it.”

Following the success of this collaborative effort, Clyde Bergemann has stepped up its support by becoming the lead sponsor of the team this year. When asked about the organization’s interest in the AIS robotics program, a spokesman for the company responded, “We see ourselves as technical leaders in our business. It is important that we, as a business, continue to attract talent that can support us for years to come. Last year, Erons worked for us during the summer. It is our hope that maybe one day, our future engineers will come from AIS.”

Plans for the Future

As they wrap up this year’s season, the AIS robotics team members are already looking ahead to next year. Apart from analyzing their performance and identifying opportunities for improvement when they start building their robot next February, they also hope to develop the program into a full-year after-school activity. This new development will enable the team to benefit from more training and practice during the year. All students with curiosity, drive and initiative are encouraged to become involved. The team also welcomes mentoring from engineering professionals as well as support from parents who do not have engineering backgrounds. To find out more about joining the team or offering your support, contact bgeiger@aischool.org.