Sport for the mind teaches life skills

Posted: March 5, 2009

It's a sport that doesn't involve strength training, stretching or warmups unless it's strengthening the skills of those involved, stretching their ability to reach unbelievable goals and warming up each member for a career in science, engineering or technology. It's a chance for high school students to work side-by-side with professionals in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering and computer programming and software. It's a sport that takes learning out of the classroom, out of books and places it actively in the hands of eager participants.

It's the vision of Dean Kamen, creator of the Segway and founder of FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) who wants to duplicate the excitement and celebration found at sporting events in the fields of science, engineering and technology.

It's the sport and challenge Mukwonago B.E.A.R.s (Building Extremely Awesome Robots) FIRST Robotics Team 930 members engulfed on with the season kickoff Jan. 3. From that day on, the team of 13 student members and five mentors immersed themselves in Lunacy, the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) challenge, where robots equipped with slippery wheels and trailers face each other on a 54-by-27-foot low-friction field and attempt to score Orbit balls in opposing trailers.

The team has six weeks to design and build a robot, within competition restrictions, to compete in the game. It's a sport that involves dexterity of thinking to create a functional, competitive robot that can out-maneuver the opposition and attract the attention of potential alliance partners that will lead the team to the final rounds of competition at the US Cellular Arena March 12-14.

It's a challenge many on Team 930 have faced before. With seven veterans, the rookies on the team have guidance when learning complex electrical and mechanical engineering concepts as well as computer programming and Web page design.

Mukwonago High School sophomore Jake Smith learned how to design with AutoCAD and use other software programs. He learned real-life working skills such as working with time constraints.

"Being a rookie, I knew little of what engineering really was," said Smith. "As the season progressed, my teammates brought me under their wing and now I know a lot about the mechanical aspects of engineering."

It's the real-life, hands-on value that makes FRC an invaluable experience for students and builds strong, confident individuals.

"The kids are exposed to real-world products used to build machines of any type," said Loren Tieman, Team 930 mechanical engineering mentor. "They get to use them and therefore understand how they are applied in a given situation – and they get some theory as to how they work and why they are chosen to solve a particular problem."

However, FIRST involves more than engineering and computers. It trains individuals to problem-solve. It builds confidence.

"By pushing themselves harder than they ever thought they could – the kids gain confidence – and from that their problem-solving abilities improve because they are much more likely to believe in themselves and their ideas," Tieman said.

Additionally, FIRST provides opportunities to strengthen leadership skills as veteran team members guide rookies like Smith through the arduous build season.

"I have learned about more than just engineering tactics," said FIRST veteran Sam Scharles, who is team leader for the electrical group. "I learned leadership and how to work under pressure. I have met new people and made new friends."

Scharles has been involved in FIRST since fifth grade when she joined FIRST LEGO League. Now she and her teammates immerse themselves in engineering and technology, putting in more than 20 hours a week to complete their task on time for one main reason.

"It's going to make a difference in my life," Scharles said.