Annette Franck, Nederland.  

In recognition of the dedication and leadership shown while members of the Nederland Middle Senior High School FIRST Robotics Team 1584, two students were awarded scholarships from the Randy Sachter Scholarship Award this year. Hiatt Franck, Chinook West 2016 graduate, received $1000. Hiatt was a team member for four years, Lead Build and team CoCaptain in 2015, and Lead Build and team Captain in 2016. William Culver, a sophomore at NMSHS, received $500. William was Lead Software in both 2015 and 2016 and was a team member for two years. Congratulations William and Hiatt!

The Nederland High School FIRST Robotics Team 1584 The Pirates! took on an ambitious design to meet this year’s Stronghold challenge. They competed in alliances made from the 48 teams at the FIRST Robotics Denver Regional this last March. Teams from Colorado, many other states and Mexico came to Denver to test their engineering and robots.

The Pirate’s robot, Da Ballista, took the field for every one of their 11 qualifying matches. The students worked for three long days, from 8am to 8pm. When not on the competition field, they were found in their pit, working on the robot, scouting information about other teams, sharing tools, giving out parts and talking to inspectors, judges and members of other teams. It was hard work and it was fun and exciting to be among so many robots and fellow robogeeks.

Nederland High School FIRST Robotics Team 1584 will have to put competition on hold for a few years as they rebuild support for a high school team. The robotics team has been an after school activity offered at the middle/high school for the last 12 years. The team has given students a place to learn engineering, science, computer science, technology, fabrication, business management, and many other skills. The students learned from volunteer mentors, who dedicated many hours each year to help the team build a robot in 6 weeks and then to compete in each year’s challenge. These mentors brought their professional knowledge and skills from the worlds of engineering and business and gave students an opportunity to gain skills most wait until their last years of college to experience.  98% of our alumni go on to college or a technical program. Alumni from the team have gone on to schools like Carnegie Melon, Colorado School of Mines, Embry Riddle and MIT. They have graduated college with degrees in engineering, computer science, Tropical Plant and Soil Science and many other fields. Whatever path they have taken after leaving the team, they all have benefited from the skills gained while with the team. The robotics team has been a place to extend their learning while at NMSHS. This after school activity has been able to provide free instruction not available during the school day. When small student numbers do not allow for more staff or class offerings, the team has been there to provide computer science, engineering and technology instruction and resources.

When the team was founded, it had a Nederland Middle Senior High School (NMSHS) staff member, Randy Sachter, as a sponsor and team manager. When she retired four years ago, she continued to help the team. The team carried on without another current staff member taking her place. The past three years’ parent/mentors have run the team.

Students remained enthusiastic, filling any middle level robotics class offered at the school and even writing a letter to then Principal Lynne Donnelly asking for more opportunities to learn about engineering and technology. Unfortunately, this letter was never answered, as Ms. Donnelly was replaced before she could respond. Despite having resources, funding, equipment, materials, instructors and student interest; it became clear that without current staff advocacy, the team would not continue.

As NMSHS administration changes once again, the students have asked for a meeting with the new Principal, Mrs. Carrie Yantzer. They will once again request the opportunity to learn about science, engineering and technology at NMSHS. The team is hopeful that they can work with Mrs. Yantzer and staff to restructure and continue to offer high level instruction and professional experiences to students.