FRC

8. Our robot, during the practice session in the pit, broke down. During a high force turn, the electronics board and the base of the robot toppled and cracked, leaving the robot completely unusable. With the competition the next day, we had no clue what to do without the resources or time to fix it ourselves.

However, multiple teams immediately came to our help - often without even asking. Together, we built an even better version of the robot, which was more structurally sound! The teams that helped us went above and beyond by offering to improve our drive system (they noticed we were having control problems), suggesting strategies, and building upon those strategies.

This experience was phenomenal. The environment in competitions where everyone aims to HELP one another, rather than stamp down (like most other club competitions), is incredible. This was, hands down, the most enjoyable STEM-based competition I have ever participated in.

10. The best club I have ever joined. I wish I knew about started the team earlier than my senior year.

Incentive for STEM participation will create the greatest engineers and scientists of the future. It is essential that more schools embrace such programs if our country is to remain at the pinnacle of scientific and technological advancement.