The Hamilton Library in Chandler, Arizona was buzzing with excitement several weeks ago as it hosted the final meeting of “Operation FIRST,” a six-week program from July to August. Operation FIRST was organized by the Hamilton Microbots, Team 698, the local FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) robotics team from Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ). The event, aimed at sparking interest in robotics/STEM among young students, was hailed as a tremendous success by attendees, organizers, and community members alike.

The curriculum featured a variety of engaging activities, including showcases of robotics demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and open lesson plans. The Hamilton Microbots, known for their innovative approach to STEM education, designed the event to inspire the next generation of engineers, coders, and technicians.

“We wanted to create an event that was not only educational but also fun and engaging for everyone,” said Rahul Kalikota, the president of the Hamilton Microbots. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and their excitement when they got to 3-D print their own designs or finally figure out a specific aspect of programming was incredibly rewarding.”

CAD Department lessons - design practice

Participants had the chance to try their hand at engineering challenges, like the marshmallow tower challenge and 2017 FRC game speed-design challenge, as well as a choice to learn about CAD (computer-aided design) or Programming. The unique challenges aimed to demonstrate that the world of FRC Robotics is not just about following instructions but also about innovation and thinking outside the box.

Marshmallow Tower Challenge

Parents and community members praised the event for its ability to make STEM accessible and enjoyable for all ages. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the program, too.

Robot demo and description

“I successfully learn the basics of Java and how to create loops and if statements in Java,” claimed one participant in the Programming department.

“Operation FIRST allowed me to dive into the basics of CAD, like sketching and extruding, and now I can design my own projects to solve problems I run into everyday!” exclaimed another, one in the CAD department.

“I love the donuts and snacks they brought!” was the response of another happy attendee.

The Hamilton Microbots also took the opportunity to recruit new members, encouraging students interested in robotics, engineering, or even marketing and graphic design to join their team. The event’s success has already resulted in an influx of new recruits eager to be a part of the club’s future.

Club Fair, Hamilton High School, August 4, 2024

“We are thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiasm from the community,” Chandler librarian Thuan Nguyen agreed. As one of the longtime librarians at Hamilton, he truly believed that Operation FIRST was “a huge success,” and he looks forward to hosting more events like this to “continue fostering a love for STEM in our community”.

As the event wrapped up, it was clear that Operation FIRST had achieved its goal of inspiring curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With plans already in motion for next year’s events, the Hamilton Library and the Hamilton Microbots are well on their way to making Operation FIRST an annual tradition that continues to inspire and educate.

About Us

The Hamilton Microbots, Team 698, have been dedicated to fostering a passion for robotics and STEM education among high school students. Our team consists of 35+ diverse, enthusiastic members who work tirelessly to design, build, and program robots for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

Our robotics club is designed to expose students to industry engineering experience through hands-on learning. The curriculum teaches technical skills, including shop tools, CAD, programming, and also promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity.

The Microbots recently won the Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation at the 2024 FRC Arizona East Regional. We will be participating in the annual ARL championships soon.

Club President / Vice President: Rahul Kalikota / Liam Stange

Marketing & Outreach Head: Alex Huang

Mailing Address

3700 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85248

Mail to: Hamilton Microbots

Website: hhsrobotics698.weebly.com

Instagram: @hamiltonmicrobots_698

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