Robotics team prepares for competition

Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Robotics Team members are among the “BEST” as they construct a robot for an upcoming high-tech competition, reports Scott Humes, career and technology instructor.

The contest is sponsored by BEST Inc., a non-profit organization out of Auburn University for Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology. The challenge requires COHS team members to construct a fully functional robot designed to perform preset factory tasks.

Humes said, “The story of the robotic creation involves an outbreak of insects in a factory owned by the BEST Robotics Corporation. Our machine must be able to open closed doors, carry objects of various size and shape, including constantly moving devices, and traverse obstacles of various difficulties. All of these tasks must be accomplished within an allotted period of time and with little to no error.”

Students construct the robot with supplies furnished by BEST, Inc.

The Robotics Team is part of the newly formed COHS Technology Club. COCISD superintendent, Dr. LaTonya Goffney, said, “We are so excited about the Technology Club and the Robotics Team. We are also pleased with this opportunity to participate in a highly competitive and challenging event. I’m looking forward to seeing what our team presents.”

Although new, the COHS team has already attended a robot programming class at Texas A&M as well as the local BEST competition kick-off at Sam Houston State University.

According to Humes, the BEST competition is an annual event with participants ranging from home-schooled middle school students to 5A high school students.

COHS students will present and demonstrate their prototype robot at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 15, at the Huntsville Mall. The BEST competition is at 8 a.m., Oct. 29, at the SHSU Coliseum. The public is invited to both events.

Anyone with an interest in mentoring or sponsoring the team is asked to please contact Humes at 936-653-1132 or email shumes@cocisd.org.