By Tracy Ouellette
SLN Staff
East Troy High School students Meghan Griffin and Tim Zinniker were recently awarded varsity letters in robotics. They are the first students at the high school to do so.
Griffin, a junior, and Zinniker, a senior, are members of the eTREC Robotics Team at the high school.
“I am very proud of what these two individuals have accomplished and learned during their time on the robotics team,” eTREC advisor Tim Griffin said. “They have both demonstrated great leadership skills, mentoring capabilities, and the wiliness to work with others and pass on their knowledge and skills.”
Both Meghan Griffin and Zinniker said they were drawn to the robotics team because of their interest in electronics and love of building things.
“Robotics brings together both,” Zinniker said.
“I have always been interested in robotics and machines in general. So when I heard about the after school robotics, I just had to join,” Meghan Griffin said.
The eTREC team, which is open to all students in eighth through 12th grade, gives students an opportunity to learn mechanical and software engineering principles and methodologies in a creative, hands-on, and collaborative manner.
The team designs, builds, tests and programs a robot to compete in the FIRST FTC tournament from September to April each school year. The team members learn how to use a variety of tools, including a 3D printer, drill-press, metal lathe, vertical mill, welder, sheet-metal tools, table saw, band saw and hand tools. No prior knowledge of tools or robotics is required to join the team.
And the team has experienced success, winning the Inspire Award, one of the highest awards in the FIRST FTC tournament, last year for its robot “Borg.”
“It’s been a good creative outlet as a counterpart to school and a great learning experience in general,” Zinniker said. “(It involves) teaching, among other things, problem solving and teamwork. Using teamwork to efficiently accomplish a set goal and leaning the process.”
Meghan Griffin said she’s learned so much from her teammates and appreciated their help when she was a new member.
“I learned about some robotics parts I’d never heard about before. I learned about these on the first few practices when I was still confused on where everything was, the rest of the team showed me all the new things,” Meghan Griffin said.
For more information about the eTREC team, visit www.etrecrobotics.com.
