Operation Redemption: Robotics Teams Arise Victorious
Robots battle it out in the qualifiers at Francis Lewis. Photo Credit: Tiffany Pan
By DUYGU KONDAKCI
After a nerve-racking first competition in December, the robotics teams redeemed themselves in the qualifiers January 12 at Francis Lewis High School in Queens. Behind hard work and determination, Bötley Crüe, Pink Droyd, and the Rolling Drones blew the competition away, winning the Motivate Award, the Control Award, and the prestigious Think Award. All three teams will go on to the super-qualifiers February 16 at Dalton High School.
The competition was fierce. After their first experience competing at John Dewey High School, “the teams had their spirits torn,” said Ms. Lisa Ali, the teams’ coach. But that didn’t last long. They used that feeling to motivate themselves for the next competition.
Pink Droyd members make adjustments to their robot. Photo Credit: Duygu Kondakci
Each team had to prepare presentations and be engaged with the judges while planning fundraisers, timelines, outreach, and service goals. Brian Hong ’20 took control in winning the Control Award. As programming leader of the Rolling Drones, he used advanced software techniques and algorithms to enhance the functionality of the robot on the field. Even with hard work, preparation is key. The team kept a journal with game strategies, planning, and underlying mathematics and science to win the Think Award. It took the most effort from the team.
“We were more motivated and we tried harder than last time because we had something to prove to our competitors,” said Bötley Crüe member Shayan Ali ’20. Coming into the course, Ali was intrigued by robotics and wanted to try it out. He then found joy in competing and being a team player while being able to express himself fully, he said.
“My teams are like a big family, and I love that.” said Ali. “Everyone works their butts off, and it shows. They have always devoted a lot of time and effort.” Team members use their free periods to stop by the classroom and work on their robots, even taking time after school and during breaks.
Not only is building robots a fun way to pass time, but it has also brought forth many opportunities. Pink Droyd team member Ariel Abramov ’20 sees robotics as a step in his path toward a career.
“The bonds we made with our peers are unforgettable, and robotics is an amazing first step to becoming future engineers,” said Abramov. He got to make many connections competing and loves seeing his imagination come to life.
Hong said he especially loves witnessing first hand when their inventions perform how they’re designed to.
“At our last game’s finale, our server modes failed, and we had to adjust and replace them last minute while the competition was still going on,” said Hong. To add to the stress, the score was 1-1 in the final round, but the team had lost connection to their phone and so got penalized 80 points with a yellow card.
Outside factors frequently play a role in competing. In the beginning of the year, the teams were limited to specific materials. “We couldn’t make equipment purchases to build our robots,” said Ali, “But the teams utilized what we had and used their imagination and creativity to make it work.”
The teams had to overcome many obstacles, but battling in competitions that are sponsored by major brands like Google, Microsoft, and Apple is a once in a lifetime opportunity that the robotics team members will treasure. Ali feels “blessed and fortunate to have three robotics teams and an amazing program at Midwood.”
Ali has high hopes for everyone as they enter their next competition on the Upper East Side. “I think they’ll bring amazing energy and continue their hard work to refine their ideas,” he said.