COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Some of the best and brightest robotic scientists in the future could possibly be launching their careers right now at Coldwater High School where a robotics team enjoyed solid success this year in its first season of competition.
Nine students made up the squad under their mentor and coach Larry Burns, a science teacher at CHS. There are 451 robotic teams in Michigan and in their rookie season, Coldwater finished in 112th place. The team traveled to 3 events with 40 teams at each event and by their second competition, Coldwater made the finals and was chosen the best rookie team.
Oliver Winter said he joined the squad since he plans to pursue a career in mechanics and electrical engineering. He told the Coldwater Noon Rotary Club he likes being on the team because it’s a hands on robotics experience, working with tools and electronics. He also said the competition develops teamwork, strategy, and cooperation skills and has allowed him to improve his ability to speak in front of public audiences.
Burns and the team brought their robot to the Rotary meeting and put on a demonstration of how the machine works. The Coldwater team is part of the national program called First Robotics, with the acronym meaning “for inspiration and recognition of science and technology”.
It can cost up to $25,000 annually for a robotics team with Coldwater’s rookie season costing $20,000. Michigan Department of Education grants helped pay for the bill with the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities the main sponsor along with Voltek, Pepperco, Walmart, and Southern Michigan Bank and Trust.
The other robotic team members at Coldwater High besides Oliver Winter were Tanner Bowers, Jacob Beckhusen, Sabrina VanAuker, foreign exchange students Lukas Reusch of Germany and Gustavo Foncheta Framit of Spain, as well as Austin Spray, Victor Patefield, and Brayden Vreeland.
