Harrison Robotics Program Celebrates Best Season Yet

The Harrison Robotics Program has reached new heights in what has been its best season yet! This year’s theme, Deep Dive, challenged teams to use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore the wonders of ocean life through the 2024-2025 FIRST® season, FIRST® DIVE™ presented by Qualcomm. While the robots weren’t actually submersible, students used creativity and engineering to navigate an underwater-themed competition.

The season kicked off in August with the Lego Stingers, Harrison’s elementary robotics team, quickly followed by the RoboHornets in September. Both teams are still relatively new – this being the second year for the Lego Stingers and the third for the RoboHornets – but interest was so high that the elementary team had to be split into two: Yellow and Blue.

The RoboHornets were the first to compete, traveling to Lakeview Middle School in Battle Creek. The long bus ride was well worth it, as the team gained valuable experience, finishing the weekend with a 3-2 record and placing 14th out of 36 teams. Their next event was set for Dec. 7 at Big Rapids Middle School.

Meanwhile, the Lego Stingers worked tirelessly on their designs and coding in preparation for their competition at Clare High School on Nov. 23. The event was not just a chance to compete, but also an opportunity for Harrison’s high school team and mentors to give back, as they helped organize and run the event. The Lego Stingers held the lead for most of the competition, ultimately securing a second-place finish in the final match – a remarkable achievement for a second-year team!

Beyond the robot game, the Lego Stingers also tackled a research project focusing on ocean environments and the impact of robotics. Both the Yellow and Blue teams delivered impressive projects, showcasing their learning and dedication to the theme.

December brought another exciting competition for the RoboHornets at Big Rapids Middle School. While they did not make the finals, they earned several prestigious recognitions, including the Judges’ Choice Award, which honors teams demonstrating outstanding unique efforts. Additionally, they were awarded the First Like a Girl Award and Best Team Spirit by their peers.

In addition to their success on the field, Harrison’s robotics teams made a significant impact off the field. The Stingers of Steel, the high school robotics team, spearheaded a food drive benefiting Compassion Cares Food Pantry. The entire Harrison school district participated, contributing nearly 1,000 food items to those in need. In a friendly competition, the Hive emerged victorious, donating an impressive 286 items.

As winter set in, so did the determination of the high school team. Coding and building began with lots of ideas and trials, each one tested and improved upon. The new RoboReport weekly update kept the community informed about the team’s progress. Team members honed new skills such as designing in CAD, operating a CNC machine to cut their own parts, 3D printing, wiring, soldering, and much more.

The high school team’s first event at Mount Pleasant High School did not go as planned. However, the team came back with fresh ideas and worked diligently for the next two weeks in preparation for the competition at Ferris State University in Big Rapids on March 28th. While the team faced tough competition, they were honored with a Safety All-Star Award for their superb safety cart and their commitment to keeping everyone safe. Safety is a top priority for the Stingers – most team members are CPR/First Aid certified, and they even bring their school’s AED unit to competitions just in case.

With all improvements in place, the team headed to Big Rapids for their final event of the season. Their robot, "Crush", performed admirably, scoring many points in their matches. After 12 matches over two days, the team placed 10th overall. Through the alliance selection process, they moved up to 7th place, marking a historic first for the team as a team captain in the semi-finals. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to progress past the semi-finals, finishing the season with a 10-5 record.

This year, the team also submitted for the Impact Award (formerly Chairman’s Award), the most prestigious award in FIRST Robotics. This award honors teams that best represent a model for others to emulate and embody the mission of FIRST. While the team did not win the award in their first year, they gained valuable feedback and knowledge to improve their program and try again in the future.

However, their season ended on a high note. Not only did they tie for the Safety Award in their second competition, but they also won the Team Spirit Award, which celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and teamwork in advancing the goals of FIRST Robotics.

As the season wraps up, the Harrison Robotics Program extends a huge thank you to the Harrison Community Schools for their unwavering support and belief in the value of robotics education. Thanks also go out to the 60-plus sponsors and partners, from personal donors to corporate supporters, whose generosity makes these accomplishments possible. Finally, gratitude goes to robotics families and followers who cheer on the team, follow their journey, and contribute to their success.

Because of the incredible backing of Hornet Nation, the team holds their heads high and looks forward to next season. Stay tuned for community events throughout the summer and consider joining as a mentor – getting involved with these teams makes a difference!