The world championships of robotics competitions were held in Houston, Texas on April 17-20, 2024. Thirteen teams from North Carolina participated, including Fuquay-Varina High School’s “Slice” team and Enloe’s “RoboEagles.” These high school students dedicated their time and effort to refine and perfect their robot creations for the competition.
Funding for such competitions comes from student fundraising, sponsorships, and grants, showcasing the dedication and commitment of everyone involved. Norm Dion, a teacher at Fuquay-Varina High School who oversees Team Slice, emphasizes the compressed time frame in which the students work. Greg Dunko, advisor to the RoboEagles, acknowledges the sleepless nights and intense schedule leading up to the competition.
The competition is known as First Championship and brings together schools from around the world to pit their robot creations against each other. Despite being a battle-like competition, it is one where everyone emerges as a winner. Raza Alam from Cary senior expresses his excitement for the competition’s energy and intensity, highlighting the camaraderie and team spirit among participants.
Slice robots operate autonomously, following pre-programmed instructions to complete tasks with speed and accuracy. The more rings the robots hit the target, the higher the score, showcasing the technical skills and strategy involved in the competition. Beyond the fun and games, students participating in robotics competitions gain valuable skills that attract attention from talent scouts for potential internships and job opportunities.
Dunko emphasizes that participation in robotics competitions teaches teamwork, collaboration