Maywood Robotics Teams Are Having an Amazing Season

Maywood Middle School’s robotics program is off to a great start this year. The program is now in its third year and has 30 students involved. Twenty students are on two competition teams, called Deep Charge and Total Chaos, and 10 sixth graders are part of a learning group. Eighth grade students help mentor the younger students every week.

Thanks to a donation from the Maywood PTSA, the robotics teams were able to set up their full playfield inside their own school building for the first time. This makes it easier for students to test, practice and improve their robots. The program is also supported by the Issaquah Schools Foundation, Boeing, First Washington and matching Benevity donations. Because OSPI cut all robotics funding last year, the program is now fully funded through grants and community support.

The teams are having a strong season. One team is 10–0 in their home league, and the other team is 7–3. At their last competition, both teams were on the same alliance and tied the state scoring record. You can watch it here at 3:53:15.

On Dec. 13, both teams will compete at the interleague tournament at North Tapps Middle School in Bonney Lake. They are in a great position to qualify for the State Tournament in Seattle in February.

This year’s challenge, called “Decode,” asks teams to build a robot that can move on its own and shoot purple and green whiffle balls into a goal. Robots earn points for moving by themselves, parking accurately, scoring goals and matching a purple-and-green pattern that changes each match. Maywood’s robots use a special drive train, Java programming, a camera that helps aim the robot and a fast 6000 rpm flywheel for scoring. Students design some parts in CAD and 3D print them.

Students also create engineering portfolios and speak to judges about their work without help from their coaches. Last year, Maywood teams won the First Control Award and the First Innovate Award for their strong presentations.

Maywood robotics students also give back to the community. They volunteer at elementary STEM fairs and help younger students drive robots at the Boeing tent at Seafair.

The program is supported by mentors Ted Griebling, Kerry Krell, Chase Thomas and Rajneesh Aurora, along with teacher and advisor Kevin Krein. Parents help by organizing lunches and supporting students during Saturday work sessions.