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Health & Fitness

YHS Robotics Team: Pickup Edition

The weekly "pick-me-up" to those robotic lovers out there.

Here is the weekly ‘pick-me-up’ to those robot lovers out there: This week, Yorkville High School’s robotics Pickup Team will get the spotlight.  Each week, we would like to focus on a particular group, just as we did last week .  Pickup Team has the task of designing and building the mechanism that takes the balls off the ground, and loads them to be shot.  With the focus of our robot put on efficiency, the goal of the group is to make the pickup quick and in one fluid motion.

The mentor of this group is Daniel Schmitz, a mechanical engineer who generously offers up his talents for the team, helping guide the pickup team.  This is his second year volunteering for Foximus Prime.  Mr. Schmitz works in Aurora, with Walker Process Equipment, and went to college at North Dakota State.  When asked why he helps out the team, he replied that he does so to, “Help participants learn, and it’s exciting to see a robot that functions.” 

Along with that learning comes hard work and dedication, which is clearly seen in the entire team.  The Pickup Team was asked about what they see as the most challenging part of robotics club.  Captain, Garrett Knox summed it up with, “Build season,” showing that all parts of the club are challenging.  Garrett, a senior, is planning on attending the University of Missouri to work in computer programming and computer engineering.  Along with Garrett, Jay Sanders is also a senior.  Jay said the most challenging aspect of robotics is, “Managing time.  We really don’t have enough time.”  Jay wants go into the field of programming as well and says he does robotics because, “It’s just fun.  I like working with robots.” Alex Cimaglia is a junior who also has a broad opinion on the hardest challenge, simply answering with, “Designing the bot.”  He aspires to be a video technology engineer. 

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The freshman, Carter Aktabowski, and the sophomore, Jonathan Schmitz, thankfully, were more specific.  Carter shared that he feels the hardest challenge for him, is just starting out in robotics.  There is much to learn, but the veteran members of the crew are helpful in teaching the less-experienced members the ropes.  Collaborating is a key part of the group, and mentor’s son, Jonathan Schmitz, said he found it difficult “pronouncing ideas on how to build the robot.”  At first, just as Carter found that it was difficult to become acquainted in the beginning, Jonathan and many other members were not yet harmonized with the group.  Through the welcoming veterans and mentors, the environment of the club makes each member feel like they are part of the team, and allowed Jonathan and Carter to overcome their challenges.  With this atmosphere, team members can contribute and be confident in themselves. 

This has been your weekly ‘pick-me-up’ team spotlight, starring the pickup team.  Spread the word about robotics club, and help us get more youth involved.  Join us next time for another crew interview.  What time is it? Prime Time!

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- Mason Dearborn

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