Robotics Extravaganza Success!
On Saturday, May 17, the SCBL held its 8th Robotics Extravaganza. Over 263 people attended the show brought to you by the efforts of the San Carlos Branch Library’s Managing Librarian, David Ege as well as 10 robotics teams, Aguirretech flying drones, and the MCAS Miramar Bomb Squad. The event was sponsored by the San Carlos Friends of the Library, who provided a delicious free lunch to all attendees. Big thanks to everyone who attended to make this such a fun event.
Several teams brought their entries from the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in which teams of high school students design, build, and program robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge. The robots start from a standard set of parts, then are customized and designed by each team to perform various tasks determined by the game rules each season. Teams work together to create a robot that can score points by completing these tasks. It was incredible to see the different creative solutions each team came up with to solve this year’s task of scoring points by dropping blocks into various targets and baskets – each team approached the problem in totally different ways by pinching, scooping, grabbing, or sweeping the blocks.
There was lots of interactive fun for kids attending, with tables for building robots out of legos, along with a practice arena. In addition, kids got to operate real bomb-disposal robots from MCAS Miramar, and had fun picking up and transporting water bottles around the parking lot, and attempting to grab various items from their friends and family.
Robotics is an incredible way to introduce young people to the world of engineering, design, and technology. Building and programming robots not only teaches valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills, but also fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Students learn to work collaboratively in teams, just like in sports, where communication and teamwork are essential to success. Getting involved in a robotics club is a great way for youth to start early, whether they’re building simple LEGO robots in elementary school or tackling advanced challenges in high school. We encourage students and families to explore the robotics opportunities at your school—it’s a fun, inspiring, and future-ready way to learn.
The robotics teams in attendance were:
First Lego League (FLL) – Grades 4 to 7
#28375 Dailard Mechanical Dolphins
#50739 Garage Engineers
#65507 Flaming Brick Bots
#50906 Tnikerbits
First Tech Challenge (FTC) – Grades 7 to 12
#23696 Kinematic Flying Chickens
#18365 Dapper Robo-Noodles
#8380 UC Robotics
#25993 Mechanical Meatloaf
#4216 Rise of Hephaestus
First Robotics Challenge (FRC) – Grades 9 to 12
#4738 Patrick Henry Patribots
