October – STEM Feature
The word robotics has typically been associated with the terms like, engineering, programming, and building. Robotics is much more than that, at OSS in our robotics club we have not just that but, business, outreach, and strategy. It’s a lot of hard work that happens that is hidden to the public eye.
Meet some of our members, the brilliant minds behind it all! Each member plays an important role in making the robots competition ready, from designing to programming, etc. each decision that’s made plays a big part in how the team does and advances. Javier Rivera, part of design explains, “I focus on the design side, using CAD softwares and 3D printing to build custom parts for our robot”. For Anish, a member of team “Loose Screws” robotics is about precision and collaboration. “We split into three parts, outreach, mechanical, and programming. And every year we work together to build and program our robot”. We have Uzba who is part of team “A.B.I” her team is focused on getting to know each other, improving and working together as a team. Last but not least, Dhruv, part of team “Nuts” focusing on the business side.
Competitions are a big and major focus of robotics. Competitions require lots of determination, hard work, hours, and preparation. “It takes a lot of strategic thinking, building, and time management,” Dhruv explained. Technical issues also play an effect on the team and how they respond to these issues, Anish explains that even small technical errors can be challenging. “When something goes wrong, like a sensor giving weird readings, we take a step back, figure out what happened, and fix it,” he said. “We spend a lot of time after school and even on Saturdays making sure the design is perfect”.
The robots steal the spotlight and because of that we don’t pay attention to what really happens behind the scenes. We overlook the endless dedication, brainstorming strategies and tactics to succeed, and how the team manages with errors and mistakes. Many people think robotics is just mechanical work and ignore the business, designing, and outreach, these other roles are just as important and demanding as the engineering and mechanical works. There’s a lot that goes into it and at many times it can be frustrating.There are moments when members feel like giving up. “At the start,when I was new, I felt like I should drop it,” Dhruv admitted. “But now we’re a good team.” Despite the challenges, every obstacle becomes a learning experience, pushing members to grow stronger as individuals and as a team.
Every member contributes their own strengths and ideas, and it’s through this collaboration that the team continues to grow and succeed. The club’s foundation is built on teamwork, dedication, and shared passion.
The Robotics Club at OSS is more than just a place to build robots, it’s where students learn to think critically, work together, and overcome setbacks. Every challenge they face reflects their determination to push boundaries. This club continues to prove that innovation thrives when creativity and teamwork unite. Behind every successful robot is a team working in perfect sync.
The Pacific Press 