by Nicholas Howe

For the Sequim Gazette

On Thursday, Nov. 6, the Sequim PC Users Group donated $1,200 to the Sequim High School Robotics Club.

The Sequim PC Users Group “promotes the acquisition, understanding and application of technological skills in the community.”

This group refurbishes computers and other devices, teaches people how to use them and then donates those devices to those who need them.

The PC Users Group has been sponsoring the robotics club as well as other Sequim High School clubs over the past few years and their support has continued to make a better and more effective learning environment for many high school scholars.

For more information about the Sequim PC Users Group, visit www.spcug.net.

The Sequim High School Robotics Club also is known as Skynet Robotics NW and FRC Team 3826. This robotics club has been participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition for five years and counting. In the past two years this club has been to the semifinals and quarterfinals at regional and district competitions, respectively.

Every year on the first Saturday in January, FIRST announces what that year’s competition is going to be. The club then has six weeks to design, program and construct a robot from scratch that will complete that challenge.

During the process of building the robot, club members will receive hands-on experience in programming, design, welding, electronics and many other skills that directly relate to careers in business, multimedia and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

In addition to technical skills, members and mentors will gain invaluable skills such as the ability to work with a team, communication and gracious professionalism.

After the robot is completed, it will weigh just under 120 pounds and it will have about $5,000 worth of parts on it. In total the club will need around $15,000 for robot parts, travel, food, registration fees, etc., per year to participate in the two district competitions.

When the club goes to the regional competition it will need an additional $6,000.

Thankfully, community groups and businesses like Sequim High School and the Sequim PC Users Group have been very supportive of the Robotics Club enabling members to participate in these events.

For more information about the Sequim High School Robotics Club, visit www.skynetroboticsnw.weebly.com.

Nicholas Howe is a junior at Sequim High School and the public relations officer for the Sequim High School Robotics Club.