MFHS robotics team gear up for FIRST competition

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Marble Falls High School student engineers are getting ready to head to San Antonio Saturday, Jan. 31, for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge (FTC) regional qualifying tournament for the Alamo Region.

If they do well against the other 50 teams in the tournament, Team 4769 would advance to a league championship contest next.

Senior Tyler Taber said he’s excited about going to the event. “Getting to hang out with engineers and play with robots, it’s pretty neat,” he said Wednesday, Jan. 28. “It’s a good way to spend a Saturday.”

The MFHS engineering teacher and team mentor is also looking forward to it. “They have a good chance to do well, but there are going to be some really great robots there,” said Randy Guffey Wednesday Jan. 21. “Some teams focus only on their robots all year.” MFHS students, on the other hand, are involved with many projects throughout the school year, including constructing rockets, flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mastering a 3D printer and learning how to program the new FANUC robot.

However, the MFHS robot is no slouch, and it comes complete with some high school flair.

Three small, colorful Lego men on the control piece boldly stand out against the mostly grey robot, consisting of wires, chains, electronics and belts, all mysterious to a non-engineer.

Three students are attending: Marshall Jett, Connor White and Taber, all seniors. Two students will operate the controls, and one will keep an eye on the full court as a spotter, Guffey said.

White, Jett and senior Liam Baskin have been the primary forces behind the project, although as competition time grew closer all students in Guffey’s class have pitched in.

It’s actually good for students for something to go wrong with their robot, Guffey said. It’s more like real life that way. 

For more on students' preparations for the Saturday contest, see Friday's Highlander.