From 3D printing spare parts on the fly to operating uniquely built robots, Powell High School students tackled this year’s pixel-picker-upper scrimmage. 

The Robo-Rumble, hosted by Powell High School, took place Jan. 20 in Northwest College’s Cabre Gym. In preparation for the state competition Feb. 17, 22 teams from across Wyoming gathered to participate in this annual scrimmage. 

“The Robo-Rumble is huge for practice. It’s really good to be able to work with other teams and see what they are doing before state,” said Philip Ellis from team Mad Hatters (6437). “It’s an opportunity we wouldn’t have otherwise.” 

Powell robotics teams recognize the benefits and importance of the Robo-Rumble scrimmage for all attendees. 

“It’s a great opportunity for some of the teams that don’t have resources like we do that may need help or inspiration,” said Alan Crawford, team Radioactive (10731). 

This year’s Robo-Rumble presented many new and unique tasks in addition to the challenges that the teams had to overcome. The main goal is picking up pixel hexagons and placing them in a backdrop within a designated period. 

“I think the hardest part was where we broke a little finger part; it was one that we should have had spares on hand,” Ellis said. “It was a new experience printing on the fly. A little bit of a challenge, but it was fun.” 

At this year’s scrimmage, PHS teams performed relatively well and provided new solutions to obstacles that were standing between them and state. 

“We went undefeated over the weekend,” Ellis, team Mad Hatters, reported. “So we did very well, but we still have a lot to work on.” 

“We did fairly well,” Isabel Lobinger, team Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly (3189), said. “Most of what we were focusing on was just improving the bots so that we’re prepared for state.” 

Even through the struggles and competitiveness of Powell High School’s five teams, they’ve made a point to help one another from practice to performance. 

“Since we’re five separate teams together, it gives us a little bit of competitiveness,” said Crawford. “Competitiveness breeds the best. We’re all sharing code that helps us improve, because if they’re getting better, that means you’re getting better too.”

Lobinger has been participating in the robotics program since elementary school and has continued with it through middle school, leading her to be a member of team Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly. She’s not the only one among her PHS teammates who has involved themselves in robotics at such a young age. 

“I heard about the Lego program in middle school, so I just kept moving up,” Lobinger explained. “I really got interested in the high school version because it’s a lot different than building Lego bots. My friend, who was a senior at that time, made me join her team, and I just enjoyed it ever since.” 

PHS robotics competitors will continue altering and mastering their robotic craft to place well at the state competition for the rest of the season. This year’s scrimmage acted as a stepping stone in foreshadowing the performance of the PHS teams at state. 

“We’re getting better. It’s been more of a struggle this year for them to get their robots in the working conditions that they want, but I think a lot of teams are getting there,” said Joel Hayano, PHS robotics coach, reflecting on this season. “Now they just have to practice and make it work to score more points [at state].”