Charger Robotics: Making an Impact

All photos from Charger Robotics.

Disha Deepak

Acronyms:

FIRST®: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

FRC: FIRST® Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12)

FTC: FIRST® Tech Challenge (Grades 8-12)

FLL: FIRST® Lego League Challenge (Grades 5-8)

FLL Explore: FIRST® Lego League Explore (ages 6-10)

Hamilton High School’s (HHS) robotics program, Charger Robotics, has devoted countless hours to impacting the lives of the community. As a part of the overarching community of FIRST® Robotics, the team has dedicated itself to spreading the FIRST® Core Values. Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, are the basis of all that Team 537 does. One award that FIRST® offers at competitions is the Impact Award, given to the team who demonstrates outstanding excellence in spreading STEM to the community. Charger Robotics has increased their impact in recent years, both inside and outside of the district. 

Impact events:

Team 537 created an FLL Support website, linking resources and lessons for newer, less experienced teams to reference. This site reached over 2,500 people across 22 countries, along with Virtual Mentor programs hosted to directly reach out to rookie teams. Within the district, Charger Robotics’ FRC team 537 helped establish the first FLL Explore team. The Lannon Cardinals were founded in February and attended an FLL Explore festival in April. Team 537 students also assist in mentoring students from Templeton Middle School’s three FLL Challenge teams, supporting over 440 kids in the past 11 years. Additionally, they hosted three elementary STEM nights, handing out 500 STEM activity kits and connecting with over 450 elementary students from the Hamilton School District. 

Charger Robotics team members spread STEM at a local theater company.

Team members clean up Wisconsin roads at the Adopt-a-Highway event.

Team 537 operates their T-shirt cannon, Sonic Boom, at a football game.

Charger Robotics demos in a local parade.

Charger Robotics students run their robot at the HEF Winter Blast.

The team attends the annual Antique Power Show.

Students on Charger Robotics spread STEAM with their BRIO events.

Charger Robotic runs their biannual recycling drive.

Charger Robotic's Impact Team pitches the FLL Explore program to Lannon.

Team 537 recruits at the eighth grade orientation.

Chargers run the T-shirt cannon at a basketball game to promote STEM.

The team also works tirelessly to support their local community. At their biannual recycling drive, the Chargers partnered with Complete Recycling to collect over 15 tons of traditionally non-recyclable items per year, helping keep our community environmentally sustainable. Two years ago, Charger Robotics partnered with BRIO Studios, helping educate 90 students from BRIO’s theater camp on Computer Aided Design (CAD) modeling of backdrops, the technology of set design, and innovative teamwork skills. Most recently, Team 537 worked with the HHS athletics department to create Sonic Boom, a t-shirt cannon that made its debut at the Chargers’ football games. Sonic Boom reached over 21,000 community members, had news reports with CBS 58, and WSN, and reached another 11,000 people through YouTube. 

Spread STEAM with Charger Robotics 
Similarly to the team’s partnership with the HHS athletics department, Charger Robotics is looking to forge new connections with other interested parties. The team is always looking for new ways to spread the FIRST® Core Values, demonstrate their learnings and capabilities, and spread their passion for STEAM to an even wider audience. This summer, Team 537’s students have chosen to dedicate themselves to collaborating with other clubs, organizations, and community members. If you or your organization are interested in working with Charger Robotics, please contact us through the form linked below, or email the advisors at admin@chargerrobotics.org. We’d love to hear from you as soon as possible, so students have the opportunity to organize their projects, and the team will reach out to identify timelines and limitations subsequently.