Gulfport High School is now home to a world ranked Robotics Team
Gulfport High School’s Robotics team is now ranked number two in the world for their 2021 Robot Build.
Zakeri Brown has been competing on robotics teams since the eighth grade. Now as a junior, he’s the captain on Team Fusion, the world ranked Gulfport High School team.
Gulfport High School’s robotics team has been competing in the ‘First Robotics Competition’ since 2000. However, last year changed the way teams compete against each other. “Because of COVID, we didn’t actually have any in-person competitions. They were all virtual challenges. So, we took videos of the robots competing.”
The engineering lab available at Gulfport High allows students to create their own customized pieces using machines like 3D printing. 11th grader/ lead programmer Colton Bruni said, “It really gives me a lot of opportunities to learn to grow and learn to code and just general engineering stuff to help me out in my future career.”
Joining the robotics team is more than learning how to build an effective robot. Engineering teacher/ lead mentor for Team Fusion Clint Brawley said, “During the midst of the pandemic, the Gulfport School District allowed us to come in here and use our 3D printers to create PPE for our local community.”
For the very first time, Team Fusion is ranked number two in the world after competing in their 21st First Robotics Competition. Tenth grader Hunter Allen tells News 25 it took dedication from 28 students to build a world ranked robot. “From right after school, which is 3:35 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. So, it is long hours and it does take a large commitment.”
It takes a village to build a world-winning robot. “The sponsors really help, not only monetarily, but they’ll also send engineers in here to work with the kids and give them that mentorship.”
This coming Monday, May 10th, the team will receive judging results for community and engineering awards, hoping to win more rewards for their hard work.
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