There is an unexplainable energy pulsating from the tech classrooms on the first floor of the Innovation Academy every afternoon. There is a goal, a mission in mind. Work is achieved on a daily basis, but more importantly, fun is had. You might ask yourself, what’s going on here? The answer is simple: The Robotics Club.

For those of you who have never heard of the Robotics Club, it is an after school activity that puts young minds to work; creating robots. The team enters their completed robot in a fierce competition against other schools for a trophy. Robots don’t just belong in movies and daydreams anymore. They are being built right under our noses by high school students.

The Robotics team partakes in the First Robotics Competition. The dates are currently set for March 1st through 3rd in Manchester, NH and March 29th through 31th in Hartford, CT. The competition this year is called “Rebound Rumble”. The goal is to get as many foam basketballs as you can into a selection of four hoops in a set period of time.

“I have a better understanding of engineering,” sophomore Thomas Jaquinto says of his time in Robotics Club, but the influence doesn’t stop there. Jaquinto wants to be a Civil Engineer and robotics is just a preview of his future to come. He soon may not be building and programming robots to do simple tasks, but will be learning essential computer and design skills that can be used for his entire life.

The team is currently made up of approximately 35 dedicated students under the careful instruction of Mr. Cady, Mr. Kissane, Mr. DeGraff, Mrs. Vaughn, and Dr. Castagna. Meetings are currently Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. Unfortunately, it is too late to join as they are going into their major build period, but if you’re interested be sure to get involved next fall!