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Houston students showcase regional robotics program, cite new CNC router and local sponsorships
Summary
Students and staff from the district’s FIRST robotics team demonstrated their robot, described recent equipment upgrades including a CNC router, and noted regional competition results and corporate support.
Representatives of the Houston Public School District’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team demonstrated their robot and briefed the board on the program’s regional competition in Duluth.
John, a robotics adviser, said the team includes students from seventh grade through seniors and that the program this year benefited from a newly acquired CNC router that allows the team to cut parts in-house. "It's just a game changer for us this year to be able to really up our ability to manufacture these parts," John said.
Students described aspects of the competition format — a six-week build window, detailed technical rules and on-site inspections — and showed how the team's robot uses a swerve drive that enables movement in any direction. Team members said the robot weighed about 115 pounds and that students handled design, wiring, programming, marketing and scouting roles.
The presentation highlighted regional exposure: the team competed in Duluth alongside more than 100 teams and nearly defeated a strong alliance in its last qualification match. The team said Sentek provided $5,000 in support to Houston County teams; other local sponsors also contributed.
Board members praised the students and encouraged demonstrations at elementary and middle schools to build participation as seniors graduate. John and students said they will seek additional regional events if space opens and continue recruiting younger students for next season.
