A 12-member team of middle and high school students reached the final of the obstacle-course robot competition.
The 12-member team of Menekşe Vadisi College's Robotics and Coding Club reached the final out of 48 teams at the regional robot tournament held in Ankara. The team is made up of students from middle school grade 7 up to high school grade 11 and is guided by club adviser Serkan Öztaş.
What happened at the tournament?
In the competition the robots first tried to complete the task course in the shortest time, then to overcome previously unknown obstacles. The robot designed by our team scored the highest points in the second round thanks to the sensor-fusion software they developed themselves. Finishing fourth in the final, the team also received the "most innovative design" award.
How did the preparation go?
For four months students worked two days a week in club hours and additionally in Saturday workshops. The mechanical design was developed on a 3D printer, the circuit design on microcontroller boards and the software in Python and a block-based interface. Roles within the team (mechanics, electronics, software, documentation) were chosen by the students.
Impressions from the students
Ela Yıldırım, a grade 10 high school student and the team captain, says: "Our robot could not finish the course on the first try. But we analysed the error as a team and rewrote the software the same night. This process taught us not to fear failure." Deniz Akar, a grade 8 middle school student and one of the club's youngest members, said: "Our older teammates treat us like friends rather than teachers."
From the club adviser
Serkan Öztaş notes that the real reason for success is the process itself more than the placing achieved: "Our aim here is not to win a trophy but to make engineering thinking a habit for the children. If you allow mistakes, learning comes by itself."
Future plans
The team is now preparing for the national tournament to be held in December. New-term registrations continue in the club; every student from primary grade 4 to the end of high school can join the beginner group. To enrol in the Robotics and Coding Club you can watch the club presentation on a school tour or fill in the information form on the club page.
How do I join the club?
The Robotics and Coding Club is open to every student from primary grade 4 to high school grade 12. The beginner group teaches block-based coding and basic electronics; the advanced group runs microcontroller and sensor projects. The club is free for students; the school covers materials and competition costs.
The school's support
The school covers expenses such as tournament travel, spare parts and 3D printer filament from its budget. Families can join the weekend workshops as volunteer mentors if they wish; engineer parents also take part in our team.