Are you interested in robotics? This year’s Stormbot:Typhoons season was wild. This season, the team went through some impressive highs and made it out of some lows. But this year marks a change for the team, and its founders are graduating. Before time runs out, we’ve decided to interview the outgoing robotics leader Malaravan, and the incoming leader to the club, Annabelle, on their perspectives on this season and robotics as a whole.
I: Malaravan
Malaravan is the current outgoing leader of Stormbot:Typhoons. His expertise on robotics has lead the team to a lot of success. Since this is his last time seeing robotics at JCR, we asked him some questions about his time.
Interviewer: How has your time been as a leader?
Malaravan:
One of the best memories in all of high school. Cant remember how but accidentally got the leader role in grade 9 because I was one of the most passionate people in robotics and with Mr.Kasprzak’s support I was able to help increase the number of participants in the FTC program and I’ve made a lot of friends through it. I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a leader and I’ve learned from all the people around me. Kinda sad for it to be ending so soon.
Interviewer: How has this season been for you?
Malaravan:
This season I prioritized passing on robotics roles to a younger generation so it definitely was an emotional roller coaster ending the season off sucked a lot but seeing the amount of people I’ve inspired to do robotics feels so good.
What would you say to those in the fence about joining robotics? What’s next?
No harm in trying since Stormbots is 100% free unlike most other robotics teams around the world and we have so much cool stuff that can be of use to basically anyone.
We’re gonna keep growing in numbers and opportunities, hopefully sending our teams higher and higher to the next level.
As someone who is already in robotics, I’d say that Malaravan as points on joining are great. If robotics has even interested you slightly, we welcome you and the best part is no experience is needed! We’ll teach you the basics and build up your skills as you go. -Editor
All things eventually come to an end, and for Malaravan it’s his time leading robotics. However, this is not the end of the line for the club. Annabelle is the new robotics leader and wants to share her perspectives on this season and her hopes for the club as she becomes the new leader.
Interviewer: How do you feel about being one of the new leaders for Stormbot:Typhoons?
Annabelle:
It’s exciting and also a little nerve wracking to be one of the new leaders. I don’t quite know what I’m doing but I have great mentors who are making it a lot easier for me to understand what to do. I’m very excited for next year’s robotics season but I am so glad to have this off season as an opportunity to practice so I’m not diving in headfirst.
Interviewer: What are you planning to do as the new leader?
Annabelle:
I don’t have any specific plans set, but right now my main goal is to just get a handle of the robotics basics. Our whole team is composed of fairly rookie members so we’re all learning together. Once I get a handle on the basics, then I’ll delve more into planning but for now it’s just trying to find my footing. The only thing I’m currently working on is trying to get new members because our team is dwindling as people graduate.
Editor: What would you say to those interested in joining robotics?
Annabelle:
To anyone interested in robotics, I say go for it! Robotics is a huge commitment, which I can admit scared me away at first but once you’re a part of it you realize it’s more than just a club, it’s a community of mentors, and friends and people who are learning just like you. Don’t be afraid of looking dumb, or clueless because no one knows what they’re doing when they start—I definitely didn’t—and we’re not looking for seasoned professionals. Just new people with the same excitement and who are looking to learn a little more about robotics.
Editor: What are First Tech Challenge Competitions like? What do you have to do to prepare for them?
Annbelle:
First Tech Challenge Competitions are so exciting! I went to 2 competitions this year and they were my first ones. At the November competition I was new to the team so I didn’t really understand what I was doing but to prepare for it, I helped with our engineering portfolio. The engineering portfolio was basically a summary of everything we had done throughout the season. Things like volunteering, fundraisers, robot design, code, and outreach. To prepare for the second one, I was more hands on because I was one of the drivers for our robot. We made sure we had any extra tools that we could need, extra parts for our bot and there was a lot of practice driving. The competition experience is different for everyone depending on the role you play. The first competition I spent watching most matches but the second I was more involved in. The competitions are a little intense but also so exciting because of the people you get to meet and connect with. These FTC competitions are the perfect place to make connections with people who have shared interests and who you can collaborate with.
Editor: How did this robotics season go for you? Has it changed your perspectives on robotics in any way?
Annabelle:
This robotics season was my first one and I think went pretty well for me. Since I was new to robotics this year, I didn’t know anything at the start so although I’m not a professional, I know a lot more than I did at the start. This season I got to help with different things and take on different roles on our team as just a helper, to a junior mechanical team member and a driver. It changed my perspective on robotics because I realized how much more of a community it is than I thought. I thought robotics was just about building a robot and coding it but it’s about building community, skills, and inspiring the next generation of builders.
Editor: Are you looking forward to next season?
Annabelle:
I am very excited for next season, I can’t wait to take on a new challenge and try to navigate my way through with my whole team. We may not be the most experienced but that’s one of the best parts, we’re learning all together and I can’t wait to welcome new members as we embark on another building season. I’m not the most prepared, and definitely not the most professional but I think with some practice and teamwork we can make this next season a great one
As you can see, there are A LOT of things going on with robotics and just as many hopes for the team as well. Robotics is a club for people of all skill levels, and we hope this may have spiked your interest! -Editor
