Editorial: San Marin robotics team earns well-deserved honor

Most of the time, when we report on interscholastic competition, it has to do with local prep sports.

And we have plenty on which to report.

But Marin has another team competing for a title – San Marin High School’s robotics team.

Congratulations to the 35-member team for qualifying for a chance to win the world championship to be held this week in Houston.

The club, which is sponsored by school, community and private contributions, earned the trip to Texas by winning top honors in regional contests held in Davis and Fresno.

The team and its work has grown in popularity, attracting students from other high schools around the county.

Instead of knocking around a ball, blocking and tackling or swimming, these kids have been busy with computer-aided software, a tool fabricating machine and a 3D printer – all used to build its robot, “Cold Feet.”

They have had to install Cold Feet’s circuit boards and other electronics.

There is also a focus on power and renewable energy.

Unlike other robots, Cold Feet has been designed to move in all directions, even in a circle. It’s been programmed to perform assigned tasks such as stacking and arranging plastic cones and cubes with specific designed tasks.

The team was formed in 2007 with the help of volunteer adult mentors to provide high school students with hands-on education in robotics.

Its longevity and growing student interest is proof that the team fills an educational role for many local students.

Among its supporters is the Novato Unified School District, which has earmarked $5,000 for the program from the Novato School Fuel community fundraising campaign.

Besides building and programming Cold Feet, the regional and broader competitions are valuable learning experiences as they gather insight into other teams’ work and robots.

Reaching this level is quite an accomplishment involving scholastic skill, electronic arts and teamwork, including the leadership, cooperation and communication needed to build a top-functioning team.

There were different teams for different functions and they had to come together to build their robot.

These are skills that clearly will play a role in their professional careers.

Cold Feet is clearly the product of a lot of hard work.

And, just as important, team members are having fun.

Community support, both through donations and adult mentors, also has been critical to the team’s success.

Last week, the team packed up Cold Feet and shipped it off to Houston for the event.

This week, he will be rolling through the competition.

Just getting to Houston is proof that their hard work has paid off.

Good luck to the students and mentors in the San Marin club and, of course, to Cold Feet.

We’ll be rooting for you.