Marie Wiegman, a senior at Bellarmine and the general manager of the robotics team, oversees internal program operations and connections.
“I’m in charge of making sure that our team runs as smoothly as possible,” Wiegman said, noting that the team is divided into specialized subteams that require constant collaboration. While much of the robotics build season happens in winter, Wiegman explained that her business and outreach subteam does much of its work during the summer and fall, focusing on community engagement, fundraising, and award submissions.
The program, as the longest sustaining robotics team in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizes sustainability not just environmentally, but financially and organizationally. With an annual budget of around 120,000, the program relies heavily on fundraising and an endowment to ensure that all students can compete regardless of financial circumstances. The team is preparing for a fundraising regatta, where 10 boats will compete to amass a hopeful total of 50,000. Large-scale events allow the program to reduce reliance on smaller fundraisers and strengthen community partnerships.
Reflecting on her time in the program, Wiegman said that robotics has been most meaningful for the way it fosters personal growth and leadership. “Robotics really just reminds me that each person has such interesting ideas,” she said. Looking ahead, she expressed confidence in the team’s future leadership and encouraged students of all interests to consider joining. “There’s always a place and a home for you,” Wiegman said.
From the school’s Lion Tracks:
Robot Reveal & Ice Cream Social Invitation
Bellarmine’s Robotics Team, FRC 360, The Revolution, is excited to invite you to our 11th Annual Robot Reveal & Ice Cream Social!
Join us on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Connelly Campus Center as we unveil Rainmaker 26, the robot for our 27th season of competition. After six weeks of designing, building, programming, and testing, our team is ready to share the final result with the Bellarmine community.
This event is open to everyone, and it’s a great opportunity to meet the team, see Rainmaker 26 up close, and kick off competition season. Ice cream included.
