ROBORAMS, MV’s robotics team, is commencing the season with yet another New Member Meeting. 

After school on September 7, 2023, new members had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the team and explore the different departments they could potentially join. 

Joseph Jones, ‘25, Robotics Youth Outreach Officer, said that in the robotics meeting they, “Made little ice breakers for each department that related to [what goes on there].”

Kara Klos, ‘25, Robotics Chief of Operations Officer, stated that, “I want to say the members were engaged instantly in every department from the scavenger hunt, to pinning the gear on the robot, to designing slingshots and everyone getting a chance to drive the old robot.”

Tayvin Kossak, ‘25, Robotics member, mentioned that, “With my department particularly, we told them what programming and wiring are about, what’s required about it, and what is to be expected while letting them control last years bot and showed them some wiring and pneumatic parts.”

Izak Wisneski, ‘24, Robotics CEO, said, “I was in the design room the whole time helping kids understand what design is. So, I guess with my limited experiences at the New Member’s night, all I can say is that the new members learned what the design department of Roborams is all about.”

At the New Member Meeting, participants would have received a substantial amount of information about the robotics team and its operations.

Alexandria Stevens, ‘25, Robotics Electronics Lead, noted that, “Mainly they learned what to do in our departments and who on the team has what skills.”

Alexander White, ‘25, Robotics member, said, “They walked away with an opportunity to get experience they wouldn’t get else where.”

Kossak stated, “I think mostly on what we do and how we act were converted perfectly with how the night went, [we] get work done while having laughs and a great time.”

However, the expectations of returning members regarding the meeting may have differed from what they expected.

Stevens mentioned, “Compared to last year, we had several more people, so this year I expected there to be more people than there were, [which there were not].”

Klos said, “It was basically what I expected the meeting to go like; little bits of confusion at first but everything else was super smooth.”

Kossak added, “I feel like we did what I was expecting overall with the new team member meeting, [we allowed] a quick way for people to learn about every group and have a bit of fun.”

Returning members of ROBORAMS have expressed their desire to personally assist new members in staying engaged and feeling welcomed.

Jones stated that he wants to, “[Encourage] them take ownership on things they do, and have them lead groups and teach them things that they will remember.”

“I plan on teaching them through doing the things they want to learn,” said White.

Wisneski mentioned, “We need to establish a personal relationship with each student to teach them how to build a robot. From there, we need to trust them with responsibility.”

Active participation in ROBORAMS enables members to acquire a diverse range of skills that can prove beneficial to them.

“We learn a whole bunch of stuff related to STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. There are also some scholarships from First,” said Stevens.

Klos stated that while in ROBORAMS, members, “[Will] learn leadership how to use tools communication skills and so much more but we also offer them the ability to apprentice at Continental while getting paid and going to college for free. That’s also not to neglect the competitions where you get free room, food, and transportation for the 2 competitions we go to.”

Jones noted that, “We teach industrial training, [which is] manufacturing, design, and programming. The training that we have here is what big companies have their employees train [for], and we do it all here.”

Wisneski said, “Members learn many manufacturing practices, the design process, some learn how to code, and everyone learns how to interact on a professional level with other businesses. Members also enjoy the college recognition for being on a competing robotics team.”

Members of ROBORAMS have a few things to express when they are provided with the opportunity to address the entire MV community.

White stated, “If you looking for something to do, and make friends, this is the team to join.”

“There are a lot of different types of people on our team, any of whom could cater to your type of person. There are also so many things to do on the team,” stated Wisneski.

“Robotics can be challenging but it’s really fun. Once you really get engaged with robotics it’s really hard to let it go. Getting to build something and actually see it do what it’s supposed to, is one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever had,” said Stevens.

Klos added, “We really are striving to make better students every day and not only for the success of our team but the success of the students.”