ABOUT US
About Our Club
The Science Hill High School robotics team consists of members from all backgrounds, grades, genders, and ethnicities. We strive to provide a comfortable and informative space for anyone interested in STEM and/or robotics at Science Hill High School.
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This club provides students with the ability to build robots, to develop skills in coding by seeing tangible results, electrical experience, engineering/design opportunities, and hands-on marketing experience.
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No experience? No problem! Robotics is open to students with or without experience in the field.
Even if a student doesn't have an interest in a career in STEM, joining Robotics teaches valuable life skills such as creative problem-solving and teamwork! There's something for absolutely everyone.
Our History
The Robotics team was founded in 2012 and has been expanding ever since. Although our membership suffered some losses in the events of COVID-19 in 2020, the club is committed to expanding our membership to keep the club alive and growing!
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Topper Robotics was founded in 2012, joining the FIRST Robotics competition, in which every team must build a robot to perform a certain set of tasks while staying within the limitations of the game.
In 2021 our club expanded to include VEX Robotics competitions.
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Our club is committed to reaching out to our community and sharing STEM with the next generation! We've given presentations at several of our local elementary and middle schools, as well as at local events and community venues, like summer camps and museums.
(from left to right) Head of Build Team Drew Long, Main driver Davis Owens, Head Programmer Ryan Zheng, Co-driver/Marketing Head Lillian Ellis, Human player and build team member Julia Fulk, at the 2023 Smoky Mountain Regional.
Topper Robotics presenting this year's robot to a group of kids at one of our local elementary schools
Meet Our Teams!
Within the SHHS Robotics team, there are several sub-groups to complete tasks as efficiently as possible. These groups include Building, Marketing, Programming, and Scouting
Building
This group includes all those involved in the physical construction of the robot. Together with the Coding team, they are responsible for the completion of the robots. Their efforts are evident in the robots they build; builders learn skills from construction, engineering, how to design and build, and how to solve problems creatively.
Marketing
The Marketing team is responsible for securing sponsors and promoting the Robotics Club. They oversee the creation of t-shirt designs, manage social media accounts, handle advertising, and distribute buttons and other promotional items at competitions, as well as maintain the club's website. Additionally, they prepare presentations for the school board, competition judges, and award applications. In addition to organizing robot demonstrations at local elementary and middle schools, the team coordinates outreach events.
Members of the Marketing team gain valuable experience in financial management, media and design, and public speaking.
Marketing Team presenting to our local Schoolboard
Programming
The team of programmers is responsible for coding our robots to perform the necessary tasks and functions during competitions. They play a vital role in ensuring the efficiency of our robots. Utilizing software such as Vexcode V5 Pro for VEX competitions and WPILib for FRC, they are tasked with developing code for various aspects including autonomous operations, manipulators, and our drive system.
Programming demands perseverance, resolve, and a great deal of patience!
Electrical
The electrical team works to design a complex organization of wires and electrical components on the robot which is integral to the robot's ability to function. They organize the wires and everything they connect, including the battery, motors, sensors, computers, motor controllers, and anything else the robot might require, making sure nothing will combust or catch fire in the process.
Electrical team members need to precise, organized, and problem-solvers! They are necessary to keep the robot functioning correctly!
Scouting
The scouting team for our First Robotics team is tasked with researching and documenting information prior to and during our FRC matches. They dedicate themselves to creating effective data collection techniques and are instrumental in the alliance selection process at First Robotics Competitions. Making the right choice in alliances can greatly impact a team's performance in First Robotics.
Members of the scouting team hone skills such as data management, strategic thinking, and keen observation.