The Robotics team at Olympia recently competed in a state challenge. It is one in which they were able to win back-to-back-to-back years. Along with this, they are set to compete in the World Challenge taking place at Olympia in April. The students in this team work hard to create aircraft designs along with one of Olympia’s teachers, Mr. John Raulerson. Out of many teachers in Florida, Mr. Raulerson has 13 consecutive state titles in STEM and two National titles in STEM. He is working on promoting the World Challenge event through having more coverage, such as inviting channel 6 to record a segment on them. Let’s hear more from Mr. Raulerson about how this team was able to compete in their state challenge.
1) What is the step-by-step process that you and your team follow when creating a design?
“The first thing that we do in this process is identifying and defining the problem. After that, the second step in our design phases is brainstorming. After brainstorming, we develop a preliminary design. Finally, we use CAD software to produce the 3-D image of the aircraft.”
2) What do you think allowed your team to win back-to-back-to-back state challenges?
“Our team has cohesion from year to year and we build on togetherness. Our project managers or leaders from year to year have been outstanding. Having a great project manager is the key to a successful team.”
3) How do you think the way your team operated this year was different from last year?
“I think that my team is operating differently this year in that this year’s team is more independent as compared to our other teams in the past. Furthermore, the project manager is able to carry more responsibilities.”
4) What is one thing that you wish everybody knew more about your team or the design challenge?
“I want everyone to recognize how difficult it is to win a state academic competition in the third-largest state in the country. This includes 2,227 private and public high schools in Florida. I would also like to add how difficult it is to compete in Worlds year after year,”
The team hopes to win the world challenge, in which they each would earn $50,000 in scholarship money. Congratulations and good luck to these amazing Titans!
