Robotics is more than just robots, and Team 968 is a prime example on campus. The Robotics Alliance of West Covina (RAWC) is a team that not only gives students the creative freedom to express their ideas but also work together to make their ideas a reality.
Competitive robotics is, in some ways, like a sport; it’s competitive, has teammates and brings people together. It can also help students learn life skills that will be useful after high school.
The team operates with RAWC adviser and engineering program teacher Jason Brown and professional engineers Richard Medina, Julian Bustamonte and Greg Ferreiro as mentors. Sophomore Joseph Lugar is the programming lead of RAWC and benefits from the advice and guidance of these professionals.
“The mentors that we have hold like a lot of value and allow us to grow, not just like a team, but as individuals,” Lugar said.
Similar to sports, they train, dedicate hours to their activities, and participate in competitive seasons. Practice and training hours are about 2 hours twice a week during their off-season and 4 to 5 hours 7 days a week during the season.
Each year the team aims to qualify for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition, a global event that challenges students to design and build robots capable of completing specific tasks. These tasks vary each year, from stacking blocks to participating in obstacle courses, requiring teams to be creative and learn.
The team’s practice sessions often involve simulations of the actual competition environment. Members analyze previous matches, assess what competitors might do and develop game plans. Like a sports team studying its opponent, they review code, test robot maneuvers and refine their design.
Off-season events are to prepare for the upcoming season which is from Jan. to April. These events are focused on preparing and exposing rookies to the competitive environment.
Their dedication is seen through events like SoCal Showdown, an off-season event, where they face other high school teams from California. This year RAWC will attend Oct. 11 and Oct. 12 and use their experience as a learning opportunity for future projects.
“It’s kind of like a scrimmage to help us train rookies and then get an extra chance to compete for our team members,” said Brown.
The emotional aspect of the competition can mirror that of sports. Tension runs high during matches, with students cheering for their robots and supporting each other through setbacks. When a robot malfunctions or scores poorly, members regroup and brainstorm solutions, just as athletes analyze a loss. Junior Daniel Vo has a positive attitude when it comes to losses.
“I think the best mindset is that you already did your best, and this is what you got…oftentimes it’s just like a moment for learning,” Vo said.
Robotics teaches different concepts of engineering, with the competitive team the amount of professionalism is an expectation. The vision for each robot they make is elegance and efficiency.
While robotics may not dominate headlines like traditional sports, RAWC 968 embodies many core qualities of school athletics. It’s a competitive pursuit that demands discipline, strategic thinking and collaboration, all rooted in a shared passion for innovation and problem solving.
If there’s an interest in robotics, RAWC welcomes students to be a part of their community.
“Any student with an interest and dedication can show up and be a part of our team,” Brown said.
