NASA supports local robotics team

AVON, Ind. (WISH) — Robotics clubs have already garnered a lot of attention from high schoolers across Indiana. Now, NASA is supporting one of the biggest robotics teams in our area.

In just five years, the Avon High School Robotics Team, or Roborioles, have grown to nearly 60 students that must complete an application and interview process just to be on the team.

“I enjoy building things,” Cassie Baxter, Avon High School Sophomore, said.

With a big grant from NASA, the kids say the sky isn’t even the limit to what they’ll be able to do with their future.

“It’s something that you have to have a knack for already,” Matthew Morgan, Avon High School Senior, said.

Lucas Murphy a senior is excited about the new possibilities.

“I’m working on a mechanism, it’s able to throw the ball out a lot better than we would have thought,” Murphy said.

It’s peak season for the Avon High School Roborioles.

“I like to call it nerds gone wild,” Morgan said. “It definitely takes a lot of practice.”

They’re building, programming, and testing out their creations that will compete against dozens of other teams in just a few short weeks, but for this team it’s not all about taking home the trophy.

“It’s about learning, to have fun, to experience, to be hands-on. Winning is usually toward the bottom,” Avon teacher Chris Hill said.

Hill and co-sponsor Gary Ayers said their team is unique. They allow the kids to take charge, so these robots are built totally by them with no help from adults or outside sources.

“It’s a game-changer really, because we’re experiencing something just like in the real world,” Murphy said.

And it’s that attitude that caught the attention of NASA and some local corporate leaders like Rolls Royce, Allison Transmission, and Steel Dynamics, putting the funding in place to help these kids build robots and a future in STEM careers. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

“Getting those grants really says that corporations out there really care about high school students,” Evan Schafer, Avon High School Junior, said.

Now, the Roborioles want to show they appreciate the support at this year’s competitions and for many years to come.

“It’s a really neat experience that they recognize us and they can see that we’re going to make a difference at some point,” Murphy said.

There are more than 60 robotics teams just in central Indiana alone. Avon was awarded the only sustaining grant from NASA, but the Mooresville High School team also was recognized by the administration.

You can see the Avon Roborioles in action next week. Their team is hosting an open house on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Avon High School. You can enter through door 19.