Coral Park High’s Ramtech Club Claims State Champion Title in Robotics
A Stellar Beginning to the Robotics Season
Miami Coral Park Senior High School’s Ramtech Club is making headlines as they kick off the year with an impressive victory at the regional robotics competition held in Orlando. This triumph not only crowned them state champions but also placed them in the spotlight for their consistent excellence in the realm of robotics.
Consistent Excellence in Robotics
Since 2018, the Ramtech Club has maintained an admirable track record, qualifying for the World Championship in Houston every single year. In a testament to their prowess, last year’s team achieved a remarkable rank of 55 amidst a whopping 3,600 competitors from across the globe.
The Philosophy Behind the Success
Charlie Delahoz, the club’s coach and an engineering teacher at Coral Park, emphasizes the significance of competition in student preparation. “Competing is how to best prepare students," he states. The rigorous demands of the contests necessitate a well-organized team equipped with top-tier engineering skills. “We have one of the top labs in the state," Delahoz proudly adds, underscoring the school’s advanced engineering program.
A Diverse Team of Innovators
The current Ramtech team is composed of around 60 dedicated students, primarily hailing from the school’s prestigious engineering magnet program. This program, part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) offerings, emphasizes specialized education in science and technology.
Dedication and Commitment to Innovation
Students in the Ramtech Club dedicate countless hours working on their projects, particularly between the months of January and March, a phase marked by intense designing, building, and programming of robots. The club boasts a lengthy history filled with innovation, having joined the FIRST Robotics League in 1997.
Advanced Tools for Future Engineers
Utilizing cutting-edge technology, club members employ computer-aided design (CAD) software to create precise blueprints of their robots. The process involves manufacturing and assembling the components in the school’s well-equipped workshop. These robots are designed with resilience to tackle competition challenges head-on, showcasing students’ programming skills in executing complex tasks with great precision.
The Excitement of Creation
“The excitement of taking an idea and making it a reality is unparalleled,” exclaims Luke Amor, a junior and key member of the design team. He elaborates on the joys of the robot-making process, from the initial concept to the final assembly. Luke’s enthusiasm illustrates the passion shared among his peers within the Ramtech Club.
Continuous Improvement through Experience
The Ramtech team is not just about creating robots; it’s about learning and innovating continuously. Each competition season offers the opportunity to refine their creations, with valuable insights gleaned from prior contests fueling their enhancements. Last year, the team integrated an AI system into their robot, enabling it to gauge distances for improved strategy during matches.
Adaptive Strategies in Action
Adjustment and innovation are part of the team’s ethos. As Delahoz indicates, “Each year, we adapt and innovate.” An example of this was observed in the competitions held between Oklahoma and Houston, where the team introduced a new system enabling their robot to pick up rubber doughnuts and efficiently tackle defensive challenges.
Tackling Unique Challenges
Every competition introduces its own set of challenges. Last year’s contest required robots to climb and launch rubber doughnuts into specific targets, with success contingent upon scaling a chain to achieve the objective. Ramtech showcased their skills by becoming one of just two teams to successfully complete this task, further solidifying their status as state champions.
Bridging Classroom Lessons with Real-World Application
The hands-on experience of designing and competing in robotics creates a valuable bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students engage with essential principles of physics, geometry, and coding, all pivotal for succeeding in such competitions. The school offers a robust curriculum, featuring six physics classes, three calculus courses, and a comprehensive four-year coding program.
Real-World Challenges as Learning Opportunities
“These challenges truly bring classroom lessons to life,” states Delahoz, highlighting how students are tasked with real-world problems such as calculating how to lift a 140-pound object using their robots. This is a true testament to their engineering abilities and problem-solving skills cultivated through the program.
Preparing Students for Future Success
The education and experience gained through participation in Ramtech benefit students long after they graduate. A number of its alumni have successfully secured scholarships to prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other elite engineering schools.
The Importance of Programs Like Ramtech
Miami Coral Park’s engineering magnet and Ramtech Club provide students with invaluable opportunities to merge academic learning with hands-on experience, steering them toward promising futures in STEM fields. Programs like this serve as a testament to why Miami-Dade County Public Schools stands out as a premier choice for exceptional educational experiences.
A Community Commitment to Education
Scott A. Weiner, the principal at Coral Park, supports these programs that bolster student learning and engagement in technology and engineering. Under his leadership, the school continues to nurture future innovators and leaders.
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Conclusion
As Coral Park High’s Ramtech Club once again shows its mettle in the competitive world of robotics, it not only provides unparalleled opportunities for its students but also exemplifies the importance of community support and innovative education. Ramtech stands as a beacon for aspiring engineers and future leaders, demonstrating how passion, commitment, and teamwork can yield remarkable achievements. The club’s journey continues to inspire both students and educators alike, fostering a culture of excellence in robotics and engineering that is thriveing well into the future.
