Robots. When people hear that word, they think of highly advanced human cyborgs, walking around with high tech laser cannons in sleek metal armor far in the distant future. In reality, robots are already here, and although they may not look like or do the things we imagine, robots are already promising to shape the future. At ISB, our robotics team recently developed a working robot using the VEX robotics system, and went to the international competition for the third year in a row. But this time, not just one, but two of ISB’s robotics teams qualified for the competition!

The VEX competitions are separated into three different divisions: VEX IQ, which is for elementary and middle school, VEX Robotics, which combines middle and high school, and VEX U, exclusive to colleges and universities. Only the best from each of the three divisions are selected for the VEX Robotics World Championship, held in Louisville, Kentucky. The VEX competition is fierce, and the participants the best of the best. Our robotics team has been working after school for months to prepare themselves, building and programming their robots to perfection.

However, despite the pressure and intensity of the program, the robotics club has performed to the top standard. Nico Millana (12), the captain of the robotics team, said, “this was the best year yet! We made the most out of the least. It doesn’t get better than that.” Nico and his team went to the competition over the weekend of March 10-11, representing ISB in the international competition among hundreds of other teams.

The robotics program here at ISB is a great way to get introduced to the world of programming and engineering, and is an amazing course to take. Starting with the LEGO Mindstorms programs in middle school and working up to the more complicated VEX machines in high school, any time is a good time to take up the art of robotics. Hopefully, the robotics program will flourish in the years to come, as the engineers of tomorrow begin their path here at ISB.