Feb 28 2011
Sponsored by a mortuary when they began their quest in robotics, the team at Vallejo High School has created a monster which took over 6 weeks. Their latest creation, a clawed 5-ft high robot, can grow up to 10-ft using its extendable arms. The monster is also capable of carrying a smaller robot which can climb a 10-ft long pole.
Preparing for a competition to be held in Davis, the team tested the functionality of their clawed creation with a demonstration in Sacramento. Praising the hard work of the team members, Beth Traub, the co-adviser stated that the students are in tune with their creation and know even the smallest of details.
Although they were not able to achieve what they had planned, their monster moved and picked up an inflatable tube during a tour of the “Engineering Academy” at the school premise. Apart from designing and building projects on the computer and implementing the same, engineering students actively participate in field trips.
To be enrolled in the robotics class is not a prerequisite for the academy but several students are enrolled in both. Designing the wheel of a model train on the computer, a 16-year-old sophomore student, Victoria Cox is putting her skills to test. She describes the class as challenging, and not as difficult.
The students not only learn the computer program but also learn to design the robot part by part. Currently in its first year, the academy has 60 students and the faculty hopes that 100 more students will be added next year.
Source: http://www.vallejo.k12.ca.us