Robotics Students Apply Skills for Social Good
Robotics Team 1939 and Variety KC partnered to provide nine children with the gift of independent mobility at IDEA Space on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Barstow robotics students and Coach Aaron Dalton hosted six other area teams during the GoBabyGo Community Build. Working together, they adapted ride-on toy cars for families selected by the local children's charity. Student engineers represented Team 1810–DeSoto and Mill Valley High Schools, Team 5098–North Kansas City High School, Team 1723–Independence School District, Team 1775–Lincoln College Prep Academy, Team 10453–Oak Park High School and Team 4959–Staley High School.
Students made specific modifications to each of nine battery-powered vehicles so they could be used by children with a variety of mobility challenges. One car needed to be designed to fit an oxygen tank, another needed to accommodate twin sisters, and a third was designed so that a child with limb differences could steer it using their upper arm.
Although this is not a new event for Barstow's signature robotics program, the day-long building blitz was a first for many of Team 1939's new freshmen members. many of Team 1939's members.
“Working with a rookie team this year was really great," senior Loch Beagle said. "I was able to help teach a new team not just how to do certain mechanical skills, but what FRC is really about.”
Events like this are part of a movement often referred to as refers to "robotics for social good," the application of robotic technology to improve people's lives. These efforts often focus on areas like healthcare, education, accessibility for people with disabilities, environmental sustainability, and community support. Barstow robotics students have participated in social good events for nearly ten years, dedicating the competition off-season to building these cost-effective wheelchair alternatives.
Each year, the moment when students turn the vehicles over to their new "drivers," is filled with joy and excitement.
Sophomore Emily Smith said, "My favorite part about the event was getting to see all of our new members work hard together to create something truly magical.”
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Students made specific modifications to each of nine battery-powered vehicles so they could be used by children with a variety of mobility challenges. One car needed to be designed to fit an oxygen tank, another needed to accommodate twin sisters, and a third was designed so that a child with limb differences could steer it using their upper arm.
Although this is not a new event for Barstow's signature robotics program, the day-long building blitz was a first for many of Team 1939's new freshmen members. many of Team 1939's members.
“Working with a rookie team this year was really great," senior Loch Beagle said. "I was able to help teach a new team not just how to do certain mechanical skills, but what FRC is really about.”
Events like this are part of a movement often referred to as refers to "robotics for social good," the application of robotic technology to improve people's lives. These efforts often focus on areas like healthcare, education, accessibility for people with disabilities, environmental sustainability, and community support. Barstow robotics students have participated in social good events for nearly ten years, dedicating the competition off-season to building these cost-effective wheelchair alternatives.
Each year, the moment when students turn the vehicles over to their new "drivers," is filled with joy and excitement.
Sophomore Emily Smith said, "My favorite part about the event was getting to see all of our new members work hard together to create something truly magical.”
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Six teams adapted nine ride-on cars for families at Barstow Robotics' GoBabyGo Community Build.
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Many of the team's new members are freshmen.
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They are learning that FIRST Robotics is about more than engineering and competition.
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Barstow is proud to partner with Variety KC on the annual event.
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Student teams learn to problem solve and refine to make sure each adaptation works for its driver.
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The children can't wait to see the new vehicles, which offer a cost-effective substitue for electric wheelchairs.
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