South End Robotics Super Team Learns Teamwork, STEM

When COVID led to the cancellation of after school activities, some school programs struggled to regain student interest. A couple of south end high schools banded together to form a robotics team with students who didn’t have access to it at their schools.  

Seattle Public Schools partners with FIRST Robotics Washington to offer high school students the opportunity to learn about building robots from industry professionals. Team XBOT #488 is an after-school activity funded by XBOT Robotics, a company dedicated to providing educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields to students furthest from educational justice. Team XBOT #488 includes students from Franklin and Cleveland.     

Competing teams are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a tough field game in alliance with other teams. It combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. But the lessons extend far beyond academics. Students form friendships and often return as mentors.  

“Xbox robotics is like a family … Everyone learns something new every single day, and you learn together, and you also get the support from mentors,” said Sophia, a student from Cleveland STEM High School. “You gain these experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise.” 

The structure of FIRST Robotics competitions makes it easy for foes to become friends. One of their guiding principles is “gracious professionalism.” It is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Teams may be competing against each other in one round then on the same team in the next. It is not uncommon to see teams sharing tools and parts on the sidelines, helping each other troubleshoot what may have gone wrong when their robots fail.   

Under strict rules with limited time and resources, teams participating in FIRST Robotics competitions are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a tough field game in alliance with other teams. It combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Students get to show off their skills by competing against other schools around the state – and for those teams that do well – around the country.