The Bellarmine Prep Robotics team has always done well, and now with new program leader, science teacher John Chase, this year looks like it is going to be a memorable one. The Robotics program is not just about building robots, it helps interested students gain engineering, professional, and teamwork skills that will impact the rest of their lives.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization is mindful of making sure that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is accessible to everyone, especially girls.

The Robotics Program values the importance of paving the way for girls in science. Junior andHead of Awards Rhea John said, “STEM is very male-dominated at the moment but our team is really accepting of girls. Girls have so many opportunities, as well as the boys on our team. We’ve had several girl Captains, General Managers, and Heads of Development.”

When senior and Robotics Team Mascot, Isao Goodson, was asked about the program, he said, “It’s about more than just the robots, it goes deeper than that.”

Junior and Robotics Team Captain, Andrew Schomogyi is responsible for team management, all the rosters, building the robots on time, keeping people on task, keeping the building process smooth, and is a link between the mentors and the students. Most importantly, he is responsible for teaching the lower class men how to utilize tools and how to understand the building process.

When asked about the program, Schomogyi said, “We’re not just a bunch of nerds, we actually have fun.”

Team 360 needs Bellarmine students support to help them on their journey to regionals.

Goodson was ardent when discussing the lack of student body support, “Just show up, they’re free events. We got Mrs. Meines there last year, and that was it.”

Junior and Programmer Rose Hiemstra was also excited about getting more students to come to the competitions, “This year for the competition there’s interactive aspects for the audience in choosing some of the defenses that we have to go over and so people from Bellarmine should come, and that way they can participate while helping us.”

Whether people are interested in joining Team 360, or if they just like robots and the mechanics of engineering, they should come out and support the Robotics Team in their first competition of the season which is March 4 through March 5 at Auburn Mountain View High School.