With the ever-present quest to stand out for colleges and the admissions of many high school students just around the corner, many seek to aid their admissions processes through extracurricular activities: activities that are done outside of school hours and do not relate to the average curriculum.
Among these activities is participating in the robotics FRC 7403 Lightning Blue Lizards, a very popular extracurricular for those interested in engineering, marketing, programming, and electronics. Few extracurricular activities can assist their members, both in their personal and professional lives as much as participation in a team such as the Robotics team, and with many of its former members attending universities such as Harvard, Caltech, MIT, U Alberta, it is evident that colleges value these abilities greatly. For this and much more the robotics team is one of the most enriching activities in which one can partake whilst in school and has countless benefits and opportunities for those involved.
One of the main reasons for which one would join the robotics team is the ability and the opportunity to develop real-life technical problem-solving skills. Robotics competitions present teams with ever-complex challenges that require equally complex and innovative solutions, from designing and building a robot to strategizing about a competition or even working in teams, team members need to think critically and learn to adapt to be able to vanquish the dynamic challenges presented by the competition. These abilities are invaluable for the field of robotics but also other various areas of life from academics to career pursuits.
Additionally, being part of the robotics team offers countless networking opportunities for those involved. It is through workshops, outreach events, and competitions that team members have a chance to connect to industry leaders, mentors, and like-minded peers from the top schools in the world, these connections provide invaluable experience both for potentially applying for internships, researching opportunities, job placements, and applying to prestigious universities.
“Joining the robotics team was one of the best decisions I made in high school. It taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork and problem-solving,” Teo Dominguez, Grade 11 Robotics Team member, said.
Finally, involvement in robotics teams provides members with hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technologies which will only become more important in the future. In a world where computers and robots play a more important role in our lives, it is very important to learn how to control and manipulate them.
“Being part of the robotics team opened doors to networking opportunities I never imagined. I have been offered internships when working on the FRC competitions, and have many many contacts with relevant industry leaders and professionals,” Pedro Acosta, Grade 11, Robotics Team member, said.
This exposure to STEAM concepts and technologies deepens our understanding of the fields that will be more important in the future, as well as opening up a world of opportunities for future academic and career paths.
In summation, participation in the robotics team is one of the most enriching extracurricular activities available to high school students, both for their own academic formation and professional development. It is an opportunity to develop essential skills such as problem-solving and teamwork as well as allowing for the gain of hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies. The benefits of joining the robotics team extend far beyond the confines of the school, it also allows for personal growth and learning how to lead and work in teams. For those looking to stand out in college admissions or pursue careers in STEM fields, or otherwise, the robotics team offers a unique and rewarding experience that is truly second to none.
