Inside Scoop of Robotics
by Radaesia Williams
The Robotics Club at Howard promotes hands-on activities such as building robots, coding, and much more. While many of us know that Howard teacher Ulysses Lankford is in charge of the JROTC Air Force program, not as many know he is also the head coordinator of the Robotics Club. Students in the program are currently working on creating robots based on written and video instructions along with their own creative spark.
This club was funded by the Air Force in order to promote STEM-related activities, according to Lankford. After interested cadets finish their ROTC assignments, they are allowed to work on the robots, exploring the hobby and building their creations.
When asked what resources Lankford uses to manage the program, he said the club relies on YouTube videos and STEM websites for ideas and information. The club is “learning something new, developing teamwork, and experiencing the work and preparation required to compete,” Lankford said.
Howard junior Ohm Patel, a junior here at Howard, explained why he joined the club. Patel has always been interested in “the technologies that get to work with programming and building the actual structure.” His favorite part of robotics is learning about the new technological abilities.
Currently, Patel’s group is building a robotic crane, which they could eventually use in competitions. He said the device’s purpose is to do “simple” things, such as grab materials like a water bottle.
“I would like to achieve an overall understanding of programming,” Patel said, “and how the building part of it relates to real-life.”
Club members hope to start competing next year. At the moment, their robots are used for skills, maneuvers, and accumulating points, rather than destroying and or dismantling an opponent’s robot.
Interested students should contact Sgt. Lankford on the 400 hall.
