Arthurs robotics team makes first-year splash

SHEILA R. MCAFEE

In its rookie season, the Arthurs Middle School robotics team achieved more than students imagined last fall when they joined the new extracurricular activity.

Within two months, TorqueNados JV built a robot that earned the team a spot at the 2022 FIRST in Michigan Tech Challenge State ChampionshipSE, held in early December at Macomb Community College in Warren.

Victory at the state level would have qualified the TorqueNados JV for world competitions in Houston, Texas, in April, but only two teams advanced from the field of 72. Actually, Michigan will be represented by four teams. Two others were selected at a similar regional contest.

“They did quite well (at states), finishing 14th in their division and among the top rookie teams in the competition,” said Jennifer Griffiths, the head coach. “They have had quite a season.”

FIRST is the acronym for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to engage young people (K-12) in mentorbased programs that build science, engineering and technology skills.

Kamen and the late Woodie Flowers then developed the FIRSTRobotics competitions to be played in an arena setting, generating the noise, the spectator crowds and excitement typical for college and professional sports.

At the start of a season, FIRST simultaneously ships teams worldwide, parts, the game design, and a list of challenges the robot must complete. The 15-member teams take it from there, collaborating on ideas and designs for the robot, acquiring sponsors and funding to support their efforts to build an unbeatable ‘bot, and working together when things go awry, like a robot’s claw breaking during competition. In the process, they gain invaluable life skills.

“We encourage them to look at this as a business – they are planning, coordinating schedules, managing time,” said Griffiths.

FIRST Robotics is no stranger to the Trenton district – the Trenton High School team was state champions in 2022 – and Griffiths has been a mentor for the THS team for eight years, having gotten involved as a parent.

Chris Rosen, one of several adult mentors for the Arthurs team, said the journey has been amazing for everyone involved.

“I’m so incredibly proud of this team,” said Rosen. “I love watching their eyes light-up with ideas and watching them work through making those ideas reality, and the confidence they gain whether their idea works or doesn’t. They still hold their heads-up high and keep trying something else until it works.”

When the THS team, TorqueNados FRC, won the state championships, news of their success caught the attention of Rosen and other middle school parents, who discovered FIRSTRobotics offers a program for sixth- through eighth-graders, as well as for elementary students.

Rosen, the father of two, and Sheryl Boller, another mentor whose daughter, Taryn, is a team member, approached Arthurs principal, Debbie Rhodes, Griffiths and fellow THS coach, Katherine Nelson, for guidance about starting a middle school team.

Around the same time, Taryn was researching how her peers had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggested to school administrators that robotics would have a positive impact on students’ mental health.

Everything fell into place, the program was approved and the group began meeting over the summer at Kennedy Recreation Center, in anticipation of the arrival of the shipment from FIRSTRobotics. Meetings and building sessions moved to Arthurs after school began.

Joining Rosen and Boller as mentors were Michel Stapula, Josh Wheeler and David Kaiser.

“Our mentors are not connected with the schools, but rather parents and professionals who want to share their expertise and excitement about robotics,” said Griffiths. “We’re lucky; because of the aerospace and auto industries, Michigan has one of the highest concentrations of teams anywhere in the world.

Programs like this aren’t sustainable or successful without the support of parents and volunteers who are willing to offer their time, their knowledge and expertise.

Folks with experience or knowledge in AutoCAD, Solidworks, Java Programming, Open CV, mechatronics, grant writing, fundraising, or who just want to get involved with the middle school or high school teams, should contact Griffiths by email: jaunvie@gmail. com

To get them started last year, FIRSTRobotics awarded TorqueNados JV a Rookie Year grant to cover some costs.

Team sponsors included Girl Scout Troop 76277, General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co, Thrivent Financial Services, the DEKA Foundation, Trenton High School FRC Team 5090, E.W. Smith Insurance Agency, Safe Spot Storage, along with donations from parents, coaches, and mentors.

For information about the team’s financial needs, email Griffiths. Donations can be made payable to Trenton Public Schools Robotics and mailed to Trenton High School, 2601 Charlton Road, Trenton MI 48183.

Everyone at Trenton Parks & Recreation is excited to see all of our SNAP campers this spring & summer!

The Trenton Special Needs Activities Program (SNAP) is a six-week summer camp program that serves 30 youths with cognitive impairments living in the downriver area. The program meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and provides the participants with educational and recreational activities within the community and Detroit Metro area.

These activities have included attending a Detroit Tigers game, Toledo Zoo, Turtle Cove, Splash Universe, Humbug Marsh, Heritage Park, movies, restaurant tours, bowling, and visiting the local street fairs!

The SNAP objectives are to provide a safe, fun and caring environment where campers can make new friends, develop a sense of accomplishment and build self-esteem while exploring new and unique opportunities and travels. Each day, we attend an event either in the Metro Detroit area or the event comes to our home base. These events include tours of local attractions such as special restaurants or city buildings, sporting events such as the Detroit Tigers, Toledo Mudhens, bowling, swimming, water park trips, street fairs, the zoo, and many others!

Campers pay a registration fee to cover the cost of staffing the program. All other program expenses are covered by our fundraising efforts and donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.So stay tuned for information on bottle drives and car washes – with proceeds going towards staff salaries, daily field trips, busing, and other camp day to day expenses such as sunscreen, craft supplies, etc.

To learn more about becoming a SNAP sponsor or donating to the program please contact the Trenton Parks and Recreation Department at (734) 675-7300. The generosity of our donors and sponsors is the driving force behind the success of the program. Our staff is available to make presentations and speak to your organization in order to provide more information.

Registration

Returning Camper Registration: March 20th – March 26th, 2023

New Camper Registration**: March 27th – June 1st, 2023

Please note: Campers must be ages 11-25 to register for SNAP.

**New Campers and their guardians will need to complete an interview with the Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator and the SNAP Coordinators before admittance to camp will be granted. New campers will not be admitted to the program after the start of SNAP.*

SNAP Camp Cost

Trenton Resident: $432.00

Non-Resident: $945.00

Fee is a fixed-cost for your camper to attend and will not be prorated based on attendance. Registration price includes staffing costs, all activities, and transportation on travel days. Lunch is not included in cost and lunches will need to be brought by camper each day.