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combat robotics
In Fall 2025, our Engineering/Manufacturing Academy took on an exciting new challenge by partnering with Placer Robotics to compete in our very first ant robot competition at Fall Brawl!
Placer Robotics runs hands-on combat robotics programs for students in grades 2–12, with a focus on mechanical design, CAD, and building 1-lb antweight robots using 3D-printed materials. Their Impact Robotics League offers beginner through advanced divisions, making it a perfect fit for students who are new to robot combat.
What made this experience unique was that we tried it as a classroom-integrated program rather than an after-school enrichment activity bringing the excitement of robot combat directly into the school day. Students designed and built fighting robots featuring weapons like wedges, spinners, or lifters, developing real engineering skills along the way.
We're proud of our students for diving into something brand new, and we're excited to say this is just the beginning. We plan to continue the partnership with Placer Robotics in future years!
catapult service project
teacher projects
The Engineering/Manufacturing academy tries to fit teacher requests around our regular work. These are typically not time-critical, but if there is one that must be done by a certain date, I can put a higher priority on it. Students will touch base on incomplete requests from last year. We have a 5-week break in projects to work on these requests in my junior class.
Inclusive design project
A pair of our junior academy students have been paired with a student from the severe/moderate disability class, acting as their clients. Throughout the quarter-long project, my students engage in weekly meetings with their clients to gain deeper insights into their needs. Concurrently, they employ design thinking methodologies to empathize, define needs, and craft meaningful prototypes.
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