Past Success Increases Opportunities for Local Robotics Team

The 2024 FIRST Robotics challenge, CRESCENDO, presented by Haas, has been revealed and Aces High Robotics team, a co-op of Suffield and Windsor Locks High Schools, is now busy 7 days a week. Competition season is long and demanding, but the payoff can be tremendous. The team hopes to make it to Houston, Tx for World Championship competitions again this year.
Robotics isn’t all about robots. There is a propensity of collaboration, exploration, and get-your-hands-dirty fun. “FIRST is more than robots, it's also about community. I have made many new friends, and they have become a very important part of why I am on the team,” expressed WLHS Senior Michael Bukowinski, currently in his 3rd year. “I am looking forward to the upcoming competitions, and spending time with the friends I have made throughout the years.”
With the influx of new students there have been more opportunities for the students who dedicate countless hours to design, fabricate, and build their robot based on game specifications. Team President and senior from Suffield High School, Sarah Michael, said “There is so much I have learned while being on the team. We grow as individuals every year. Design concepts, design process, and mechanical principles are some of the things I learned about this year.” The students create a plan of action for the season. They prepare for interviews and judging, which are major components of competitions.
Aces High is excited to see how this year’s robot will perform. “I can’t wait to see how we do on the field, I am really looking forward to competitions,” said Michael. Anticipation builds as the students test their ideas. Sarah chimes in, “I have learned so much about how collaboration is an important component of designing, building, and testing our robot. I am looking forward to seeing our robot do really well when we compete.”
Designing each component is an important part of building the robot. The team’s Design Team captain, Anthony Pierce from Suffield High School, can often be found at the computer designing and redesigning the components as they are assembled and tested for their capability. “Learning how to collaborate with a team of individuals to meet a goal is the most valuable skill I’ve gained through robotics,” says Anthony. As part changes come through, he is ready to redesign and collaborate with build team members. “I have to say that being on the team has given me opportunities to strengthen my design experiences and develop mechanical principles applications."
The road to competition is duplicated by teams throughout the state, as they collaborate to share ideas, skills, parts, and processes. Students foster relationships with other teams, and as the season progresses, they all look forward to competing at New England Championships. “I am looking forward to seeing how our robot performs out on the field,” says Anthony, who is also one of the two base drivers on the team. I am curious to see how well the robot spins out on the field, and how well it will evade the opposing teams.”
This year’s game challenges the team to develop a robot that can pick up a soft foam “note” and toss it into 3 potential goals at various heights and locations on the field. The robot then has to reach up to a chain that hangs loosely between two towers and attempt to hang onto the chain. The first part of the game is conducted in autonomous mode. The team’s student programmers have to develop code to tell the robot how to find and pick up a note, and bring it to a location to toss the note into one of the goals.
If you would like to find out more about Aces High Robotics, contact Windsor Locks High School or Suffield High School. The team can be found on Instagram and Facebook. Aces also supports two lego league teams for younger robotics enthusiasts. Come see us compete at Western New England University in March, or at the Big E in April.