I joined our robotics team because engineering is something I've always been interested in. After joining, that passion grew even more. Many students in our community have limited access to STEM programs. They believe that a career in these fields is out of reach due to their circumstances. STEM drives innovation and builds confidence. When we work together and fail together we learn to keep going and not let our situations stop us. That's what we want our community to see; despite failure and challenges we can empower each other to use creativity and persistence to solve real problems. 

I joined our robotics team because I wanted to try a new experience. I have gained more real-world experience by going to our games and working with our alliances. When we presented to the judges, my confidence increased. My teammates and mentors have believed in me and cheered me on. Robotics showed me that to succeed in STEM fields, you need to work together and have a plan set. The constant failure and iteration we went through while building our robot and playing in our games has taught me to never give up. Whenever I see the faces of all the kids we have reached, I know i made the right choice joining our team. I have made so many memories with my team members and I love going to our games to play all the amazing teams that FTC has to offer.

Participating in my schools robotics team and FTC this year helped me grow not only as a student but also as a person. Through our outreach activities, I had the opportunity to introduce robotics to younger students and people who had never experienced it before. Teaching them how robots work and seeing their excitement made me realize how important it is to share STEM with others. It helped me become more confident when speaking to groups and  explaining ideas.

Participating in Robotics changed me this year by allowing me to see that we all have an opportunity to show what we are capable of, even if people doubt us. Even if we have failed in certain areas, we always got up to prove that we’re capable, even as a rookie team.  Experiences like these have helped me learn more about the STEM field and how crucial teamwork is. Teamwork has helped us build friendships and confidence.

The reason I joined our team is because I am really interested in learning about robotics and connecting with people outside my school district. Participating in robotics has changed me this year by growing my confidence, and connecting with other people. When I first joined I was very shy and didn't often share my ideas but over time I’ve seen that many teams were able to speak up without being nervous. This helped me motivate myself in to do the same. Talking to other people has changed my perspective on enjoying robotics and learning about STEM. I learned to always try your best.

Robotics has significantly contributed to my personal growth by instilling essential values such as teamwork and dedication. Collaborating on projects has improved my communication skills and my ability to resolve conflicts. These skills not only enhance my work in robotics but also enrich my daily interactions. Additionally, the challenges in robotics have taught me resilience and problem-solving, encouraging a positive mindset. I now approach obstacles with determination, seeking solutions rather than avoiding difficulties. Overall, my experiences in robotics have equipped me with valuable life skills that extend into both my personal and professional life.