Robotics Club Prepares For State Championship 

After placing fourth in the first qualifier for the F.I.R.S.T Tech Challenge, Niskayuna’s Robotics Club is currently preparing for the state championship in the beginning of March. The team consists of roughly thirty passionate members split up into groups, all contributing to either the development of their robot or documenting their progress. The interesting teamwork dynamic has members working on specific concentrations such as programming, engineering, mechanics or paperwork to present at competitions. Despite the fact that building a robot is a meticulous craft, Kristal Lin, a member of the club, notes that though some teammates had no prior experience in robotics, they were able to pick up many skills. The welcoming environment not only seems to offer a space where students interested in technology can collaborate and unite in their efforts, but co-captain Arin Khare also mentioned that anyone can simply “learn a lot from being part of the club.” To prepare for the upcoming competition, Khare says he wants to set “reasonable goals”. Their tinkering will hopefully lead to a robot that is lighter with more “precise movement.” If the team performs well in their upcoming qualifier, they have the potential to advance to the World Championship. During the off-season, Robotics Club is involved in community outreach and presents demos at various events. In the past, the club set up a “robot soccer” activity at Niska-Day. The off-season depends on how far the team has advanced in competitions, so here’s to wishing for a short off-season!