Beyond the gears and wires, a dedicated group of students is learning valuable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering, all while building a robot that will compete this year and be revealed at the upcoming Ridgebotics Reveal and Silent Auction night.
For many, the journey into robotics begins with a spark ignited in earlier years. As James West said, “It was a mixture of two things: college opportunities, and then also, just because high school robotics is the first section of robotics that really gets real. All throughout middle and elementary school, it’s just LEGO robotics. Then, in high school, is when you actually start building real machines out of metal.” This transition makes a significant leap, transforming imaginative play into real engineering achievements.
What truly drives the passion within Ridgebotics? This is what Reed Clark says, “I have to say the community. It’s a bunch of really fun people doing really fun stuff and building a robot together.”
For those on the mechanical sub-team, a typical week focuses on creation and assembly. James says, “If you’re a mechanical member, a typical week looks like either designing or manufacturing roughly 3 parts, and potentially putting up to 7 parts on a robot.” This steady output is crucial to the team’s progress. The club operates with a well-defined structure, composed of three core sub-teams: mechanical, electrical, and programming. Complementing these are small, yet vital, teams such as media, scouting, spirit, and business, which help manage the non-technical aspects of the club.
The club emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to the time commitment. James West says, “It’s pretty much as big or as little of a time commitment you need it to be. We’re not super strict; if you show up to robotics, but you have homework to do, you can do your homework. You don’t have to attend every day. Generally, what we say is, if you want to see your designs on the robot, show up as much as possible. You get out what you put in, but school comes first. Life comes first.” This understanding allows members to balance their academic and personal responsibilities while remaining committed to the team.
Ridgebotics gets to use specialized equipment that no other classes use, like using expensive electronics to run robots and working with polycarb to expand their fabrication skills.
Ridgebotics operates as a nonprofit, meaning all donations directly support the team’s operations. A significant portion of the fundraising comes from their annual silent auction. The funds are crucial for purchasing supplies and covering the substantial costs associated with attending competitions. “It’s definitely our biggest fundraising event of the year,” James says, also noting that last year’s event brought in around $7,000. The auction will have a wide array of items available. If you are interested in donating, you can email [email protected] or talk with the business lead, Alex, in room 213. Your support directly impacts the team’s ability to purchase necessary supplies and participate in crucial competitions.
