Our Lansing High School robotics team experienced an unforgettable and challenging weekend at the City of Fountains Regional competition, one that highlighted the strength of the robotics community.
On the way to the competition, the team encountered an unexpected situation when Dr. Anne Krebs, robotics coach, came upon an accident involving her husband, who had been transporting the team’s robot. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured, but the robot sustained damage in the crash.
After ensuring everything was okay, the team shifted their focus to getting back on track for the competition. They retrieved the robot and assessed the damage, unsure of what they would be able to salvage in time to compete.
Once the robot made it to the competition, teams from across the region stepped in to help offering parts, tools, and time so Lansing students could rebuild and get their robot competition-ready.
Throughout the event, Lansing students continued to work through challenges, including issues with robot control and connectivity. Rather than giving up, they used each obstacle as an opportunity to learn. By the end of the competition, the team had made significant improvements to their robot code, particularly with their swerve drive system.
While the final standings didn’t reflect their effort, the growth and learning that took place were clear.
The team is already looking ahead. For the first time in program history, Lansing High School robotics will compete in a second event, the Greater Kansas City Regional, taking place April 9–11. Students will spend time early this week making repairs and continuing to improve their robot in preparation.
To learn more about this experience and see the robotics community in action, view the KMBC 9 News story here: Watch the Story
