Ian Koepp ’23 and Param Vora ’23 work in the mechanical department. Photo Credit: Park
The robotics team is gearing up for their first season competition, the Arkansas Regional, on March 1. The Kuhnigits will compete against 28 other teams in this year’s game, CHARGED UP.
All departments, like CAD, media and spirit, and business, are working hard. The mechanical department is especially giving it their all. Their team, led by Chief Mechanical Officer Tyler Carlgren ‘23, is the most hands-on with the actual robot.
Vice President of Media Ethan Wood ’25 helps on the mechanical side. Photo Credit: ParkChief Design Officer Jack Cuezze ’24 works on a CAD program. Photo Credit: Park
The CAD department, overseen by Chief Design Officer Jack Cuezze ‘24, is busy designing and creating parts for the robot. The four-person department works primarily in the IDEA Space’s computer lab. By moving to the IDEA Space this year, the robotics team has much more resources and facilities.
The IDEA Space computer lab, where scouting, CAD, and business primarily work.Entrance to the IDEA Space’s workshop, which contains woodworking equipment and other machinery.A view from the IDEA Space common; you can see part of the team’s practice space.The main area the mechanical department works out of. With the IDEA Space, the mechanical department especially has a lot more room to practice and build their robot.The team’s practice field, which simulates the competition space.An inspiring wall in the IDEA Space commons.A wall honoring the sponsors and donors of the IDEA Space.Photo Credit: Park
Media and spirit and business are also working hard to smoothly run communications and awards submissions. Chief Communications Officer Rian Jacobs ‘24 manages the team’s social media accounts with her mentee Emily Smith ‘27.
Rian Jacobs ’24 works on a graphic design for the team.Jacobs assembles a decal.Photo Credit: Park
Chief Business Officer Brett Gieras ‘23 has been working on the team’s award submissions for the Woodie Flowers Award and Impact Award for the past few weeks. The awards require essay responses, so the submissions have to go through multiple rounds of editing. With the awards submitted recently, Gieras is now focused on preparing for the presentation part of the Impact Award.
Chief Business Officer Brett Gieras ’23 working on the Impact Award script. Photo Credit: ParkThe scouting team continues to work on their code to prepare for competition matches. Photo Credit: ParkThe team heard a presentation from a clean energy resource manager, helping them better understand FIRST’s season focus on renewable energy. Photo Credit: Park
With surprise snow days and holidays, the robotics team has had to cancel some practices. However, they are still dedicated to putting in as many hours as possible; most members dedicate 14+ hours a week to the team. Although stress is high, the team is looking forward to their first competition. Good luck to the Kuhnigits at Arkansas!
Charlotte Park ‘23 was part of the B-Line staff from 2019-2023. She joined the staff her freshman year and became an editor her sophomore year. Charlotte mostly wrote about student life at Barstow and medical and social issues. As a student journalist, she aimed to cover all sides of a story, amplify marginalized voices, and exercise empathy through her writing.
