The robotics team at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School (BBHHS) has launched into their competition season with precision and ambition, demonstrating the technical expertise and teamwork that define their success. With their sights set on state and international recognition, the team has already earned significant achievements while preparing for upcoming challenges.
The start of this season has been remarkable for BBHHS, with team members showing an impressive dedication to engineering excellence. According to Cadence Guo, a senior, “We’ve gotten off to a strong start, winning three out of the four tournaments our organization has gone to thus far.” The team is excited about their upcoming Signature Events, including the prestigious Speedway Signature Event in Indianapolis, where they’ll face elite teams from across North America.
At the heart of the team’s success is the Engineering Design Process, a systematic method used for building and improving robots. As sophomore Gabby Rowan explains, “Any time we begin to design, we use the engineering design process. This starts with identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, deciding the best solution and planning, building and programming the solution, testing the solution, and repeating the process over again.”
Sawyer Jones, a junior, elaborates on this approach, noting, “We design our robots through CAD, build them, and then test and improve them. Staying lightweight to increase speed has been our biggest challenge this season.”
This meticulous attention to detail ensures the robots are not only functional but also competitive. “We focus on low friction and robust construction so the robots can endure stress and collisions during competitions,” adds Guo.
The BBHHS robotics team thrives on collaboration, with every member contributing their unique skills. Lillie Marsh, a senior and primary notebooker, emphasizes, “Everybody on the team has a set of roles—builders, designers, programmers, scouts, and strategists. All roles are super collaborative. Builders and designers work together to create solutions, and notebookers document everything for competition judging.”
This collaboration extends beyond the workshop, with team members communicating through group chats and regular practice sessions to ensure cohesion. “The key to team success is showing up and staying connected,” says Jones.
With multiple victories under their belts this season, the team has set ambitious goals. Rowan shares, “We have very high expectations and want to win multiple competitions, along with notebook and interview-based awards at every tournament.” Marsh shares this enthusiasm, aiming for her team to “progress far in the playoffs at Signature Events” and achieve a successful run at the State Championship.
For Guo, his final season carries added significance. “As a senior, I hope to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of the club to ensure we continue to improve. Of course, I also want to go out with a bang.”
The team is now preparing for several key tournaments, including the West Holmes Tournament on November 16 and the Speedway Signature Event from November 22-23. These competitions will test their robots’ speed, durability, and strategy against some of the best teams in the country.
With a blend of technical skill, teamwork, and determination, the BBHHS robotics team is poised for an exciting and rewarding season. Their efforts reflect the school’s spirit of excellence and innovation, setting a high standard for success.
