Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
WASHINGTON – Washington High School’s robotics program is gearing up to host its first ever robotics qualifying competition in March.
The two-day FIRST Robotics Competition will bring an estimated 2,000 people to Daviess County March 28-30. FRC is a global competition for students in grades 9-12.
So far, 23 teams from 22 schools will compete in WHS’s storied Hatchet House. Advancing teams will move on to the state tournament in April in Lafayette.
WHS launched its robotics program five years ago. Computer science teacher Matt Riney serves as coach.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” he said. “We’ve really built up the robotics program here and all the parts are here to do this.”
About 200 volunteers will be needed to work the tournament. Riney, along with parent volunteer Kristin Miles, who handles communications for Hatchet Robotics, said the community has stepped up to help with the tournament either as volunteers or with donations.
A gathering of that size will have a significant impact on the economy as out of town visitors stay in hotels, shop and dine in local restaurants. The estimated economic boost is about $400,000.
Bob Grewe, Executive Director for the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation noted, “It’s always great for our community to be able host events. However, this event will highlight the importance of students engaging STEM curriculum in our schools. Further, these robotic competitions can serve as a gateway to get students engaged in STEM-related coursework where they otherwise may not have generated an interest. Creating pipelines of students with STEM abilities is essential to realizing the full potential of the development opportunities at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park.”
40 students, two teams
Interest in robotics has grown so much at WHS that Hatchets Robotics added a second team this year.
“We’ve had incredible growth in the program,” he said. “We started with 16 kids and have about 40 kids now.”
Most robotics programs are extra-curricular. At WHS, students attend a class, Robotics Design & Innovation, during the school day and receive an elective credit.
To be accepted onto a team, students must show knowledge of build, design, code and wiring.
WHS senior Aleida Sanchez joined as a freshman at the suggestion of friends who participated.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I’ve done things I couldn’t have done otherwise, like public speaking and interviews.”
She also knows how to build and wire a robot.
Sanchez said she joined robotics without much experience or knowledge, just a lot of curiosity.
Being part of the program also gave her an opportunity to learn photography, which she hopes to study at Indiana University next fall.
Riney said only a handful of schools in Indiana field two teams. Hatchet Robotics has an annual budget of $55,000. The program receives financial support from Washington Community School and Toyota.
“Toyota has paid for a lot,” Riney said. “They are a main sponsor besides Washington Community Schools.”
One day every year, robotics students dress in business attire and visit businesses to talk about the program and ask for donations.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Washington for how the community has supported the program,” Riney said.
The 2024 season kicked off earlier this month with teams learning what the game will be. Teams will spend the next several weeks building their robots.
Advancing to state is the goal, said Riney, but beyond that, he said hosting a tournament will bring a wider awareness in the community of Hatchet Robotics.
“This tournament lets people see their kids or grandkids building something really cool. They see kids having fun while learning all these different technical skills,” he said. “As a teacher, I’ve never seen kids learn more than I have seen coaching them in robotics.”