This past season yielded immense accomplishments for the Shorecrest VRC (VEX Robotics Competition) robotics teams, finishing the 2023-2024 season with 11 teams, 5 state qualifiers, several new awards, and the first SC team to attend the VEX World Championships. Not only that, but Team Pronto, the Shorecrest/Shorewood FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team, competed at the FIRST World Championship for the first time. Given the amount of hard work and dedication this past year, there is no doubt that this season is one to be remembered.

VEX robotics operates at Shorecrest, and is split into multiple smaller teams, each responsible for building and competing with their own robot over the course of the school year. FRC, on the other hand, is one large team working together to build a single robot in just two months. Team Pronto is based at Shorewood, but includes Shorecrest students as well.

Teams build and compete in a game that changes every year. This year’s VRC game was called “Over/Under” and consisted of two alliances competing to score plastic “triballs” into netted goals. The match began with a 15-second autonomous period when robots perform tasks without a driver, operated completely by code. At the end of a match, robots hung from an elevation bar to be awarded additional points. As for FRC, the game Crescendo was made up of two alliances trying to pick up and score rings, called “notes”, into a goal. Similar to VRC, during the first 15 seconds of the match, robots are programmed to operate without input from the driver. Throughout the match, teams compete to score as many points as possible. In the last 20 seconds of the match, robots speed to hang on a chain.

Despite only being freshmen, VRC Team M (3 Idiots with a Plan) already has a state level competition under their belt. Member Leon Hardt says, “I really enjoyed competing and it was really exciting that we got to go to state.” When asked about what he is looking forward to most in future seasons, he responded. “I’m looking forward to continuing to improve my skills and having fun.” In contrast, many of the Shorecrest teams are comprised of seniors who have been involved in robotics for many years. For example, Senior Team B (SADMEP) became the first Shorecrest team to go to the VEX World Championships. Ole Lynass, who has been involved in robotics since the 4th grade, reflects on the process of going to worlds. “We were in my garage every single day and with another group of people I don’t think I could have stood it, but it was a fun time and we put in the work and got there.” This year, the world championships were held in Dallas, and featured teams from all around the globe. Ole says, “It was amazing. I was just walking through, the whole convention center was filled. Just meeting different teams from all over the place, it was super cool.”  

Additionally, Team Pronto had the best season the team has had yet, qualifying for worlds for the first time in the team’s history. Team Pronto traveled to Houston to compete as one of 600 teams from over the world and ended up ranking 22 out of 75 in their division. Senior Maggie Feinberg says, “I still can’t fully believe it happened. It’s impossible to fully understand just how huge it is until you’re there.” Aside from competing impressively, Pronto also received the Team Spirit Award at worlds, which “celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST.” Maggie says, “I was not expecting to win anything – we were just happy to be there – so even being under consideration for an award was a shock.” 

Whether teams had several years of experience or had never competed before this year, it is without question that the Shorecrest VRC and FRC robotics teams have a lot to be proud of. 

VEX Robotics meets every other Thursday in room 180, and all are welcome to join. There is also work time after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 4:30. FRC meets at Shorewood after school, starting in the fall. Anyone interested should keep an eye out for an announcement and feel free to follow @pronto3070 on Instagram.