For the members of Watchung High School’s robotics team, the recent regional robotics competition wasn’t just another extracurricular activity — it was the culmination of months of design work, coding challenges, late-night troubleshooting, and team-building.
Competing against dozens of other schools from across the state, the Watchung team demonstrated not only technical skill but also the collaboration, creativity, and persistence that robotics demands. The event, hosted at a nearby technical university, brought together some of the brightest young minds in STEM and gave students an invaluable chance to showcase their abilities on a larger stage.
The Road to Regionals
Preparation began months before competition day. Students worked in specialized sub-teams — mechanical, programming, electrical, and drive control — each handling a key component of the robot’s performance.
The mechanical team focused on building a frame that could withstand repeated stress while still being agile enough to navigate the competition’s obstacle challenges. The programming group developed algorithms to allow the robot to perform tasks autonomously, while the electrical team ensured every circuit, sensor, and motor was calibrated for peak efficiency.
Team mentor and science teacher Mr. Andrew Collins noted, “It’s incredible to watch how these students take ownership of their projects. They’re not just following instructions; they’re problem-solving in real time, often coming up with better solutions than I initially considered.”
More Than Just a Robot
This year’s competition theme revolved around environmental innovation, challenging teams to design robots that could simulate eco-friendly tasks such as waste sorting, precision planting, or water filtration. The Watchung robot, affectionately nicknamed “EcoBot,” excelled at identifying and categorizing different types of materials using an onboard camera and AI-assisted recognition software.
The innovation didn’t go unnoticed. Judges praised the team for integrating sustainability into both their design and their team operations — even reusing parts from older competition robots to reduce costs and waste.
The Power of Teamwork
While the technology was impressive, the heart of the competition lay in teamwork. Students spent long evenings fine-tuning both the robot and their presentation skills. The competition included a “pit interview” session, where judges visited each team to discuss design choices, project documentation, and how they handled challenges.
Senior team captain Sarah Lin reflected, “We had mechanical setbacks the night before the event, and everyone jumped in to help. Our programmers stayed until midnight fixing code while the build team reinforced the chassis. It showed how much we trusted each other.”
Recognition and Results
At the end of the two-day competition, the Watchung High School robotics team placed in the top five for both engineering design and innovation. They also received a special commendation for community outreach, recognizing their volunteer work mentoring a middle school robotics club and hosting a weekend workshop for local Girl Scouts interested in STEM.
The awards were a testament to the group’s dedication and the broad impact of their efforts beyond competition. “They’re not just building robots; they’re building future opportunities for younger students in our community,” said Principal Laura Greene.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of the most valuable aspects of the competition was the professional exposure it provided. Students interacted with engineers, college professors, and industry representatives, learning about real-world applications of robotics and engineering principles. Several team members expressed interest in pursuing careers in mechanical engineering, software development, and environmental technology as a result of their experience.
The team also gained practical business skills, such as securing sponsorships from local companies, managing budgets, and creating a marketing plan to showcase their work — skills that will serve them well in any future career.
Looking Ahead
With their strong performance at regionals, the Watchung robotics team has earned an invitation to the state-level competition later this year. In the meantime, they plan to continue refining their robot’s performance and mentoring younger teams in the area.
As mentor Mr. Collins put it, “The real win here is seeing these students gain confidence in their abilities. Whether or not they bring home the top trophy, they’ve already built something far more valuable — skills, friendships, and a vision for what’s possible.”
Celebrate Local Achievements
Stories like this remind us why it’s so important to support and spotlight the young innovators in our community. To discover more stories of local achievement, upcoming events, and ways to get involved, visit watchungchamber.com. Explore our latest articles and see how Watchung’s students, businesses, and residents are making an impact every day.
