“This team’s outreach efforts belong in a museum! Curating their advocacy library is only one part of their meteoric impact. They are not just uplifting girls from their region but also FIRST teams from across the universe with their inspiring programs. From Woodhaven to Lansing, these purple paleontologists are opening doors in long hallways across the state. Congratulations, Team 3604!”
This was the speech given to announce the Woodhaven Robotics team, the Goon Squad, winning the most prestigious award in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): the Impact Award. To compete for this award, the team created a museum-themed presentation of all of their outreach (activities that involve connecting within the community) and accomplishments (including meeting with 23 elected officials on the local, state, and federal levels) over the years. The presenters were Sophomore William Weaver, Junior Sam Manning, and Senior Broderick Justian.
Broderick, a team captain, explained, “We manage sponsorships, partnerships, and outreach. We’ve introduced STEM to several elementary schools through demonstrations and lessons. We also handle political advocacy, meeting four legislators virtually and two in person to support increased robotics grant funding. Additionally, we completed award submissions, winning the Impact Award for the past three years.”
Winning the Impact award means the team automatically qualifies to compete at the State competition. Depending on how they place in the State competition, it will contribute to the possibility of going to the World Robotics Competition. Here is where robotics teams from all over the world compete against each other in Houston, Texas.
Focusing on the bot, one of the most incredible accomplishments that happened at the district event was the Goon Squad achieving a level three climb. Which is where the robot climbs up a 3-pronged ladder approximately 6 ft. This was astounding because they were the first team in Michigan to complete this task and were the first in America to get ranking points(points added to a team’s score for completing certain tasks) for the climb. The excitement from all teams filled the field as they successfully completed this task.
When talking to Drew Mazur, a third-year robotics team member who specializes in electrical, this is what he had to say about his experience at the district competition: “It was a great experience. I got to be part of the pit crew for the competition, which meant doing maintenance on the robot, like repairing damage and recharging the battery. I mostly helped other teams with their robots, though, because they had not finished building them. I love to help others with their robots and make sure that they get the chance to compete.”
This “gracious professionalism” and generosity are what FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics aims to promote. They take technology and try to find other ways to help communities around the world. For example, one of the most notable efforts that the Goon Squad runs is the Goonettes Invitational, an event where the Goon Squad invites teams from all over to have a girl-dominated drive team and bring to light females working in STEAM.
The next event the Goon Squad will be competing at is the Week four Saline event, which will be from March 27-29th. If you are interested in following the Woodhaven robotics team in Michigan, you can find them on the Blue Alliance, the official Goon Squad website, or their Instagram: goonsquad3604.
