However, rather than humans competing against each other to win a basketball game, makeshift robots made of plywood, PVC pipe, threaded rods and a box of other assorted items competed against each other in obstacle courses on the gym floor.
Held Nov. 1, the Shelton State Community College BEST Robotics Competition draws approximately 15 area high schools and middle schools every year.
“For some of these kids, this is their Friday night football game,” said event coordinator Beth Patrick. “They’ve worked really hard on this. It’s like a pep rally in here. We want to make it as positive for everyone as possible.”
Students participating in the competition were asked to build a robot out of limited supplies in only six weeks. This year’s objective was to assemble a turbine for a windmill. Patrick said the competition tries to maintain as many real world applications as possible.
Hale County High School, Demopolis High School and Northside High School will move on to the regional competition held at Auburn University. Shelton State will also offer a one-year scholarship to one senior entered in the competition. Andrew McDonald, a senior at Northside, will move on to the regional competition at Auburn, but he said the road to victory was not an easy one.
“Driving and keeping the wheels on it took a while to figure out,” he said. “The arm – it’s hard to get it the right size.”
McDonald and his partner, Nick Perkins, were introduced to the competition when their teacher pitched the idea to their class. The duo participated in the event last year.
“Last year we had a lot of problems,” McDonald said. “It wasn’t great. It was just enough to get in. We were really proud this year whether we win or lose, but we’re a lot prouder that we made it.”
Jason Moore, an organizer for the event, said the program is important because of the lack of people with technical skills in the workforce. Backed by Mercedes-Benz and other local businesses and industries, the program is strengthened by all the support it has gathered, Moore said.
“They’re looking at these middle schoolers and high schoolers coming up through the ranks and possibly growing a work force for the area,” he said. “We’ve had a few presidents. If it weren’t such a great program, it would have easily gotten snuffed out during all those interims.”
Each team has different responsibilities in the competition, including design, presentation and marketing. Patrick said the competition allows a variety of students to participate and contribute.
“You have students who enjoy doing the research part or like to organize meetings,” Patrick said. “You get your PR people who like to put together Powerpoint meetings. You have students who work hands on. It gives students different opportunities.”
Moore agreed the competition requires teamwork to be successful. He compared it to the students building a company.
“There’s a lot of kids who never touch the robot who are on a team,” Moore said. “You can actually win the whole competition and not win the robot part of it.”
Watching his teammates hold the trophy over their heads, McDonald said this must be the moment where he says they’re going to Disney World.
