Interest for Redwood Valley High School robotics program continues to grow

The issue: Demand for programs that feature science, technology, engineering and math are on the rose

Local impact: School district is implementing activities, such as robotics, to offer hands-on opportunities.

Over the years, statistics have shown many American youth have lost interest in careers focused on science, technology, engineering and math, but all of that is changing as an increased focus has been placed on finding ways to get them involved in those areas.

One way is through an extra-curricular program known as FIRST®, which is the world’s leading non-profit program serving youth through a focus on science, technology, engineering and math. One of those programs is known as FIRST® Robotics, and students in Redwood Falls have been participating in those program for a number of years.

According to Todd Steve, one of the team’s mentors who has been involved with robotics locally since it started, this year’s robotics program involved 46 students in Grades 9-12, adding this is the biggest team in the history of the program.

Among those who are participating this year is Ethan Whited, who has been involved in robotics at Redwood Valley since he was a freshman. Whited said being part of the program has been a lot of fun over the past four years, adding he has learned a lot along the way.

As a member of the build team, Whited said not only are there opportunities to brainstorm ideas during the process, but there are also plenty of times to learn what does and does not work.

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