On October 5th and 6th, Wilsonville High School hosted two exciting robotics competitions: Girls Gen and FIRST Chance. More than 20 robotics teams across Oregon took part in these events!
Girls Gen, which was held on October 5th, was an event dedicated to showcasing the expertise and leadership of females that take part in robotics, giving them the stage to shine.
The following day, FIRST Chance embraced newcomers and freshmen to step up onto the field for the first time and gain familiarity in new roles. Both events highlighted leadership, the most beneficial skill grasped by participating in robotics.
On the other hand, FIRST Chance has the role of being a warm welcome suited towards freshmen and newcomers joining robotics, by giving these first-time participants the chance to engage head-on into the competition.
Freshman Marcellino Vu states, “FIRST Chance is a great way to experience what it’s like to work in STEM, specifically in the robotics field, whether it’s about wiring electronics, manufacturing parts, coding, collaborating with other people, etc. Robotics itself grants so many experiences that you can learn from.” FIRST Chance is an event that nurtures interest in STEM and helps them gain invaluable experience.
Both of these off-season competition events aid in creating an environment of inclusivity, diversity, and most importantly, leadership!
An impressive display of skill, and teamwork throughout the weekend led to Wilsonville High’s robotics team, 1425 Error Code Xero, emerging victorious in the two events! During Girls Gen, strategizing with alliances, fixing issues calmly and efficiently under pressure, and showcasing the robot’s skills all led to earning first place.
Rubi Martin states, “We compete really well, and it feels good to be a winning team.” The momentum carried on into FIRST Chance, where the adrenaline rushes helped the rookies navigate their challenges successfully and elegantly, giving the team another win. The back-to-back victories highlighted the team’s determination, perseverance, and leadership qualities.
The success at FIRST Chance gave the freshmen and newcomers a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence as they explored the field of STEM and robotics. Marcellino Vu states, “Since I participated in First Chance, it broadened my knowledge and understanding of STEM itself and how robotics can be a key step for our future.”
Meanwhile, for the young women who participated in Girls Gen, it was a powerful affirmation of their leadership skills, while also expanding their interest in STEM.
Rubi Martin states, “There’s a bunch of girls on our team that are in leadership positions that show up, work hard, and know about the robot; it’s just so much fun being surrounded by a community that supports that and is also able to physically support it by holding these events.”
Looking forward, 1425 Error Code Xero is more motivated than ever to continue pushing its limits and increase technical expertise. Both events have strengthened the team’s cohesion and determination, putting them in a strong position for the upcoming season in January.
However, as the team prepares for Capital City Classic, the next off-season event, in Sacramento, California, the lessons learned from Girls Gen and FIRST Chance will propel them to great heights.
Victories at Girls Gen and FIRST Chance were more than just wins for the team, they were milestones for the future. The events spotlit the qualities of collaboration, inclusion, and leadership as team members stepped up to many challenges.
Technical skills were also learned and used throughout the occasions. Confidence and perseverance were key to the team in the events, and are key for future competitions. As the team’s motto says, “Building Robots, Building People.”