The USD 232 Robotics Club consists of about 60 members from both Mill Valley and De Soto High School. Divided into two teams, upperclassmen are a part of team 1810, and underclassmen are a part of team 9316. Until recently, the club consisted of only Mill Valley students, but with the introduction of the CTEC building and the resources it provides, the club has opened up to De Soto students as well.
Led by sponsor Neil McLeod, Robotics Club consists of a variety of elements and offers a range of new and exciting opportunities for students involved.
“The club combines engineering, programming, teamwork, and creativity to design and build robots that compete in annual challenges. Beyond technical skills, the club also involves business, marketing, and community outreach, offering opportunities for all interests and talents,” McLeod said.
Robotics combines STEM elements, like engineering and manufacturing, with social skills essential for life after school. Junior, Austin Kelley, believes that Robotics has helped him prepare for all aspects of later life, not just Robotics-related skills.
“Robotics has given me opportunities to pursue jobs that I wouldn’t have without being in the Club. It teaches you more than just how to build robots—it also helps you develop skills in team organization, timeline management, and teamwork,” Kelley said.
Not only does Robotics prepare its members for the future, but also fosters a community of Mill Valley and De Soto students. Club members, like junior Logan Lackey, enjoy the connections between students just as much as the actual robotics.
“I have met so many amazing people here and I have reconnected with some old friends that I haven’t seen since middle school,” Lackey said “Everyone is like-minded. We all want to accomplish the same goal and working together in this enjoyable environment is really fun,”
These friendships have been fostered during the long hours spent together at competitions and during practices. The time commitment fluctuates depending on students and the time of year.
“The time commitment varies throughout the year, but it’s especially demanding during the competition season [January through March]. Students typically meet several times a week, including evenings and weekends, to design, build, and test their robots,” McLeod said.
The club currently has practices Wednesday and Thursday from 6 – 9 pm and Saturdays from 9 am – 3 pm at the CTEC. Robotics also involves hours outside of practice and school.
“The club participates in several robotics competitions, including regional and state-level FRC tournaments. We also host and attend community outreach events, such as STEM expos, elementary school visits, and district-wide showcases to inspire younger students and promote STEM education,” McLeod said.
While the Club has a strong emphasis on STEM, Sophomore Levi Fandel stresses that prospective members do not have to be interested in pursuing a career related to those ideals; instead, they need to be willing to learn and have fun.
“Robotics is super fun and everyone should do it. You don’t have to be obsessed with the STEM field to enjoy it. Before I joined I had no engineering experience whatsoever. They teach you everything, so anybody can really do anything regardless of where they come from and how much experience they have,” Fandel said.
Overall, members and sponsors of the club alike hope to attract new members. Members who are willing to have fun, learn, try new things, and make new friends more than anything.
If you are interested in joining the club or have any questions please email the sponsor Mr. McLeod at [email protected]
