I joined robotics in my sophomore year with the notion of trying something new. I found a passion in math when I was small. I liked math to the point where I could do math problems for hours but I had no idea what applications math could lead to. One day, I asked myself, "What am I going to do when I grow up? What more can I do besides solving math problems made by other people?" That was when the idea of robotics popped into my mind.

My first year there was frustrating and confusing as I had a hard time balancing my time. There was a time when I was on the verge of giving up, but somewhere inside my heart, a part of me wanted to continue on with robotics. I was glad I didn't make that decision so hastily, for the next year, my perspective was totally transformed by a new array of experiences. I became more involved in VEX as well as FIRST. As the main robot-builder/mechanic of my VEX team, I learned about building robots more in depth. I also learned how to work with tools and machines as I continued my position on the FIRST mechanical team. Through robotics, I was able to work with my team members through cooperation and communication. There were moments of stress and frustration when my team and I couldn't figure out how things worked and moments of joy when we saw our robot coming together from scratch. But what's more valuable are the experiences and knowledge I've gained throughout the course of my participation in robotics.

Robotics showed me how powerful a pair of hands combined with a brain can be, how inventions and technology can benefit the world, and how people, when joined together, can make great things. Robotics let me taste the pride of workmanship and gracious professionalism. It plagued me with passion, enthusiasm, and wracked my brain with wild ideas. Sometimes, I found myself lost in lunatic thoughts and overwhelmed by my obsession with robots. Gradually, robotics became a home away from home for me. It was there that I found my pathway to becoming a mechanical engineer. It was there that I found a group of close friends that are like family to me. It was there that I found confidence toward my future.

The FIRST robotics program has taught me a lot of things and it helps me a lot. I am a third year member on the McKinley robotics team. I immigrated to Hawaii 3 years ago, and I could only speak basic English. I wanted to join robotics to learn English. While I was there, I learned about programming and robot construction. I also learned about teamwork, leadership, and time management. Joining the team has helped to improve my English skills by giving me opportunities to speak with other teams about new designs, ideas, and strategies. I was also able to practice my public speaking at robot demonstrations by explaining robot structures and functions. It has helped me decide on my college major as well. Robotics has positively impacted my life.

I LOVE ROBOTICS!

Robotics is something you can’t simply summarize in one paragraph; it takes so much more. To truly understand what it means, you need to join the team. As I look back to the past I couldn't imagine myself joining robotics, but now I can’t imagine living without it. From my perspective, robotics was a stepping stone and door to finding myself as an individual. In the past, I never felt like I belonged anywhere or had a true purpose to life. Everyday was simply the same to me: attend school, be a good girl, do chores, eat, and sleep. Robotics changed all that. I still attend school, but during the season I go to school seven days a week instead of just staying at home slaving away with homework and being lazy. School became my second home where I am day and night. With each day there is always something to look forward to or something unique happening in robotics. Soon you find your love for it so great that you forget to eat and sleep properly. It presented new challenges, failures, disappointments, and everything in between. Despite all that, it taught me to be a stronger person mentally (to think critically) and physically (to gain muscle from laboring over the robots). It gave me a new perspective on life and myself. I slowly found myself being anxious and excited to be at robotics each day to see what I will learn and see. I love not only the family at robotics and the second home there, but I learned to love the creations. The creations are what you make of them. It is similar to life - there are failures and mistakes, but it's up to you how you fix it. As you can see, robotics is not just something that is heartless and solely mechanical. Robotics is a place where I have found myself and truly grew up in. Through tears and smiles I will never regret all the time I spent there, the family I gained, the home, the failures, and joining the best place in the world!!!

Robotics has been a life changing experience. When I first joined, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. However, robotics really opened my eyes to the field of engineering. I became more fascinated by how machines work and how they are utilized in design. By joining the robotics team, I was able to get hands-on experience working with a robot. I learned about the mechanics of a robot and was able to see how it worked. Robotics is more than just building a robot, it demonstrates teamwork, collaboration, commitment, and dedication.

At first, I had no interest in engineering or robotics, but that was because I did not know what either really was. I always thought robotics was filled with a bunch of crazy people who don’t eat, sleep, or drink until their robot is complete and safe. They devote all of their time to a robot without purpose. Now I have become one of them, staying from early in the morning to late at night. This is a place I never want to leave. I now see the purpose - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. I was inspired by all those around me to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Just as I was inspired, I hope to inspire others.

Throughout the VEX and FIRST seasons, I have learned much more than I could have possibly imagined. This isn’t something where you just listen to others’ instructions. Everything that you do has to be thought out thoroughly and planned and you work from there to achieve your goal. Not everything is right at first (constant testing has to be done), but once it is completed you feel accomplished. Not only is it a great learning experience, it is fun. It is a place where you can spend time with friends and enjoy thinking outside of the box. I was someone who never cared about my future because it was a scary thought. I did not like to think of the failures that would come or obstacles that would be difficult to work out. Now I get excited imagining about the future that lies ahead for me.

During my freshman and year, I never really thought much of robotics. I was already in the band so I didn’t feel the need to get involved with some other program. The robotics team constantly demoed at various places and were sometimes mentioned in the news. The thought of joining the team crossed my mind several times during my sophomore year. That was the year Team 368 was champion at the Oregon Regional, finalists at the inaugural Hawaii Regional, finalists on the Curie field at the World Championship, and quarterfinalists at the Indiana Robotics Invitational. Team 368’s success, rather than attracting me, kept me from joining. I felt that my abilities weren’t up to par with the current team members and that I wouldn’t fit.

Like many of my peers, I began to think of a possible career. Besides band, I enjoyed my math and science classes over other classes. I scored 99, 99, 97 on the ASVAB which measured mathematical, scientific, and mechanical aptitude. I joined McKinley’s Engineering Academy and had fun in the classes. I also made a few friends from robotics who talked to me about the program. Although there was a level of intensity in robotics, I realized that it came from the dedication the members and the mentors had. Excited about making new friends and exploring a possible career, I joined the team.

Robotics has given me what no other organization at McKinley, or any other organization for that matter, has given me. It has given me a chance to explore and even develop a passion for engineering while in a friendly and nurturing environment. I’ve learned so much while participating in VEX and FIRST. I was able to improve my math and physics skills and actually use them in relevant applications. I learned how to operate machinery to create components. I witnessed and experienced first hand the process of finding solutions to problems. Now that I’m in my last year of high school, I am almost definitely going to pursue an education and career in engineering. I can’t wait to use the skills I’ve learned from robotics in college and in life.

The most valuable things I learned in robotics, though, were the life lessons and teamwork skills. Because we are constantly working in groups, we learn how to listen to each other, voice our thoughts, open our minds, work with each other, and respect each other. In a world where something as simple as respect is growing scarce, Team 368 is a beacon of hope. If you look at the student population at McKinley, you’ll find that the nicest people are on the robotics team. I am and have been in several organizations at McKinley and I can tell you that there is no other program that comes close to having the camaraderie you’ll find in Team 368.

This is the first year I am on the robotics team. Joining robotics is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It showed me how hard work really does pay off. To see scraps of metal being put together and turning into a robot, one that actually functions, makes me realize those late nights, hard work, and frustration are all worth it in the end. During the VEX season, I found that I enjoyed putting the robot together. It was fun and I was able to learn how to use different tools like the digital multi meter. I had no idea what nuts, lock nuts, limit switches, etc were. After the VEX season, I realized engineering is a lot harder than I first thought.

I joined robotics because some of the new friends I made in freshmen year told me that it was really fun and I should try it. Another reason is because I wanted something to do afterschool. Usually, I just went home or hung out with my friends at fast food places.

Robotics has made me feel a lot smarter. I know and understand what most people in robotics are actually talking about now. My mind does not just draw a blank anymore. In school, we sit in desks and listen to the teacher. Honestly, that is just plain boring. In robotics, I am applying what I learn each day, and I understand better because it’s a hands-on activity. Robotics makes me feel important, that I actually have something that I can do. Another reason I feel smarter is because I actually do more homework now than I did before. Even so, my math grade has gone down. I do not really care too much about that because it just provokes me to work harder to keep my grades up, so I can stay on the team.

At the VEX competitions, I saw so many people competing and so many different designs. I felt so excited and wanted to see how far my team’s robot could go. I never thought we would be seeded first. Even though we lost, I could not wait to get back to work and fix the robot. I learned what our advantages and disadvantages were and helped my team to build a new and improved robot.

When I first signed up for the FIRST team, I never thought I would get in. Although I was not confident, I still went to my interview and did the best I could. I was so elated to find out that I made it on the mechanical team. Since we started, I've learned many new things. John taught us how to find the ideal gear ratio using stall torque and free speed. I admit it took me a long time before I understood that. When we started to work using the mill and the lathe in the machine shop, I was so scared. I was very hesitant to use those machines. Then, I saw Mr. Ing using them and I learned how to operate them. I have used both machines, but I like the mill the best.

Robotics has impacted my life positively. I have made new friends, became closer with people I already knew, learned new things including how to apply what I have learned. Robotics is like my second family. I am really glad I joined and plan on joining robotics again next year.

The reason why I enlisted in the robotics team was because I presumed it would be both an interesting and a learning experience. Of course, I was right. Robotics has got to be one of the best set of memories I will ever remember of high school. I wanted to try something new that would both succor in enhancing my current abilities and also in developing new engineering-correlated abilities. Yes, engineering is my decision and goal. Robotics answered my call. Being part of this team gives me a sense of completeness and purpose in life. I enjoy working together with my fellow classmates in learning new concepts, terms, how to operate new tools, the mill and much more. Achieving success as a group gives such a surge of audacity. Robotics has certainly impacted my life.This is my first year in taking part, but already I cannot help myself from tweaking at robotics things from morning until past midnight. It feels so great to contribute to the team and watch as we rise above others in expectations and performance. I could honestly say that robotics is much more tiring and hardcore when I compare it to being on the football team. If I could, I would roll back time and join in my freshman year. I love how it gives us a sense of the real world. This is because robotics is really kind of like a real job where it is much more than taking notes, but also expects participation in hands-on activities and the ability to the work. It has certainly made me feel smarter about myself.

Robotics is the "FIRST" step to my engineering career.

I joined robotics primarily for one reason - to build and play with robots, of course. Now that I am a member, I don't see one reason why someone would not join our robotics team. During my time here at McKinley High Robotics I did things that I never thought I would have during my time in high school. During my freshman year, I contemplated joining robotics. I decided not to not just because I missed the first robotics informational meeting, but I heard that high school was challenging and homework would take up most of my time so that I wouldn't have time to do anything else. After completing my freshman year with more than acceptable grades, I planned to do more in my sophomore year and so I joined robotics. I regret the fact that I did not join earlier because my sophomore year is more gruesome than my freshman year was. From the time of joining until now, I feel like I have done more this year than any other year in recent memory. From the initial VEX season to the more challenging FIRST season, I learned more about robots, engineering, mechanics, programming, etc. than I had ever before. Robotics isn't only about learning things, but also about doing things and participating in competitions and, above all, having fun in all that you do and enjoying all of the experiences that you may have. I hope that robotics will impact others as it has impacted me.

From robotics, I feel that my life has become more challenging than it ever was in a positive way. I realize that the stuff I learn in class and from textbooks is not only used to get smart and get good grades, but it can also be applied to so many more things. Being a part of robotics has made me think differently and search for my own answers to problems that my team and I faced. It has also helped me to manage my own life more carefully. I learned that procrastination is not good, even though I still do it. Also, my grades are harder to maintain than ever before, but in the end after all has been said and done, I feel more accomplished than I would have otherwise. Now I know why people don't do their assignments, or turn them in late. It is mainly due to the fact that school is not everything and that we, as students, need to expand our knowledge not just in the classroom, but also by being involved, committed, and dedicated. You should be willing to offer up your time to something you enjoy doing and not just by yourself, but also with others in a team as well. From being involved with the team, I learned that one person cannot be expected to be able to accomplish everything on their own, but needs the support of others. Teammates are not there to hold you back and slow you down, but they can actually help you and correct you if what you are doing is wrong and lend support when you are right. From the build seasons to the competitions, I have met a wide range of people from those that I had known prior to joining to others that are from different countries.

This is my first year on the robotics team and more like half a year since only a semester has passed. I never did plan on joining the robotics team before, but this year I tried it. Most of the time I like to try new things. I joined mainly because my friends were joining and I did not want to feel left out and I also missed building things. I have never worked with these kinds of robot metal parts before so it was a new experience. I would say that robotics has had a very positive impact on my life in many ways. For example, I feel that I am challenging myself more. Robotics requires me to put in my time and effort. Instead of going straight home afterschool and just watching tv and not doing anything productive, I would go to robotics where I feel like my brain is growing. It makes me feel smarter; as if I had a bigger brain. In school they teach us the basic stuff and they build off of it every year. But in robotics my brain is growing in a different field. It still requires me to apply what I learn in class to what we are doing, but in a different way that I understand better than in the classroom. Also, because of robotics, I do my homework more. From the little time after school that we have until we start working for the day, I use that time to do my homework. I know that I will be very tired later on in the day and will not feel like doing my homework. Though I do my homework more than I did before, my grades have went slightly down, but that's fine with me. It just makes it more of a challenge to keep my grades up and stay on the robotics team.

At first, I didn't know what was going on and I felt so lost so I did not feel like I wanted to continue. But I told myself that I should stick it out for as long as I could and eventually I started to look forward to going to robotics. It started to become really exciting to come in almost everyday and look forward to working on your own "creation." And then the VEX season ended and the FIRST season was starting. I did not feel too positive about interviewing for the FIRST team and I planned on cancelling my interview, but I wasn't able to and was told to try my best. Now I am glad that I went to the interview. I made it onto the mechanical team, but as an alternate. I was very surprised about that, but I did not like the physics lessons even though I missed most of them. As an alternate, I thought I was only supposed to come in about every other day, but then everyone came in everyday so it started to get really crowded. But now we have set up a schedule of when to come in so it should be good. So far I feel as if I have learned a lot and I am really grateful to our mentors who put in their time for us. Over time, I hope I will be able to pick up new knowledge along the way as we work and be able to experience new things. Robotics has given me a chance to open up and try new things.