By Alexandra Smith

You walk up the stairs in the library, unsure of what you’re going to find once you step through the doors to the Makerspace. You’ve heard things about it- after all, it’s where Art and Design is, it has a bunch of science things, and it’s where you really don’t go to that often, unless you need to. But you heard about Robotics happening, and, curious, you decide to go see what happens. Once inside the Makerspace, you notice all the people inside, bustling about. Scattered around the room, people seem to be doing a variety of things- all completely different. In the corner of the room is a large contraption, one that looks taller than you are. Yes, you are truly in Robotics now.

One of the main things to understand about Robotics meetings is that no meeting is ever the same. There’s always something different to be done, always something new on the agenda. Some people might need to work on programming something for a robot, or some people might need to make a trip to Lowes to buy whatever is needed to ensure that we can be successful in competitions. Some people may end up using a soldering kit, while others may need to use an X-Acto knife to make decorations for a wish-list giving tree. Any way you have it, there’s always a lot happening and there’s always more that can be done.

You and everyone else gather around a table to discuss the agenda. The agenda can have as many as eight things to do and as few as two, depending on what problems or events come up. As the co-captains go through the agenda, people volunteer to work on what needs to be done, until everyone has something they can work on. Goldfish and Life Savers are brought out, and everyone begins working. One of the best things about Robotics is that everyone helps each other out with what needs to be done, which makes the work more enjoyable and go by faster. If someone needs a hand with holding something up to the robot so they can tighten it, there’s always someone there who is willing to help a teammate out.

You previously thought that in order to be a member, you had to be a master of everything STEM related. One of the biggest misconceptions about Robotics is that you need to have a huge understanding of math and science and engineering, when in reality you can walk into any meeting and have absolutely no idea about anything STEM related, and still help out in a lot of ways. “Robots are built not through skill and experience in electrical and mechanical engineering, but with planning, improvisation, problem solving, and teamwork. Robotics is for everyone,” says Stuart Hunt, one of the captains of the team. Stuart, alongside of Katie Barbrey, are the two people in charge of making sure that meetings run smoothly, and that everything that needs to get done either gets done or has been started. By the end of the meetings, everyone has learned at least one new thing from other members, either about programming, engineering, physics, artistic design, or anything in-between.

You look up at the clock and see that it’s now 4:30, so you walk out of the Makerspace: the meeting is over. You now know more about what actually goes on inside that previously mysterious room, and the wide assortment of things that go on during a meeting. You’ve learned about the process of designing and building a robot, the different demonstrations with elementary school students that have happened, and the snazzy jumpsuits that come with being a team member. You’re now officially a member of Robotics, regardless of your prior experience, and you’re excited for all the meetings to come.