Aidan Reilly/Daily Mining Gazette Anne Plummer, left, her grandmother, Patricia Jungers, middle and mom Amanada Plummer, right team up to accomplish tasks with Superior Roboworks 2023 robot.

The Houghton High School FIRST Robotics team #857, Superior Roboworks capped off their 2023 season with an open house last Saturday. Also in attendance was the Houghton Middle School Snowbots team.

Several robots were on display giving visitors an opportunity to test their skills at driving and operating to complete a task, whether launching a ball into a basket, or placing cones onto pegs.

The team performed well throughout the season ranking first at a district competition in Escanaba and winning the event, and ranking second at a Lake Superior State University district competition. The team qualified for the state competition at Saginaw Valley State and netted a ticket to the Worlds competition in Houston, Texas.

“This was probably the best year we’ve ever had and so I see it as a goal for future years to do just as good if not better,” said senior, John Ackerman.

Ackerman and Senior Anne Plummer have both participated in FIRST teams since middle school and noted the positive experience they’ve had.

“It’s been a really great time. I’m really glad I chose to do this the last four years. Even hoping to come back and mentor or go somewhere else and mentor a different team,” said Plummer.

Lead mentor Chris Doig originally got into the program as a freshman at Houghton High School and has remained involved since. He noted the self direction of the high school students and their creative approach to solutions throughout the year.

Having traveled across the state and to Texas, Doig added that the opportunities for students are exciting and gives them a sense of their accomplishments.

“There’s always someone who maybe hasn’t left the UP, been over the Mackinac Bridge. It’s always good to show them what teams downstate are up to and also say we’re competitive too.”

Though the main competition revolves around a field of tasks which the robot must complete, both autonomously and with a pairing of student driver and operator in a team format with other schools, the program offers a diverse array of skills for students to build.

“It’s that whole gamut of technical, artistic and media,” said team mentor, Scott Ackerman.

Though robotics and engineering are the most important in competition. There are other efforts team members embrace to accomplish their goals.

“I have learned a lot more about mechanics, engineering and electrical skills, but I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with presenting. This year I presented to Great Lakes Sound and Vibrations and Xeratec for sponsorship presentations with two other teammates, and it was stressful, but it was a great experience and given me a lot more confidence in my speaking skills,” said sophomore Ben Manchester.

The open house was a perfect way to close out the season and showcase the team’s efforts and skills to family and community members.

“It’s truly been a life changing thing for me to get so many skills for the future,” said John Ackerman.