The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
Categories:

Webb robotics gears up for a fresh season

Sydney Wuu, Copy Editor
November 14, 2018
Driver Jimmy Feng (’21) controls the robot during a 150-second challenge.

On November 10th, Webb hosted the first robotics competition of the season as part of the official FIRST Tech Challenge. The Gaulbots and WEBB.exe teams represented Webb battling in two-on-two alliance faceoffs to determine which school’s robot could claim dominance. Robots competed in a wide range of 150-second tasks, ranging from launching plastic balls into baskets to specialized image recognition.

Lawrence Mao (‘19), captain of the Gaulbots team, said, “Considering the current mechanical status of our robot, I feel we performed well on Saturday. However, if we want to make it to later rounds, especially world championships, we will have to step up our game in terms of our robot’s functionality and programming. I think we have a lot of potential this year and we have a good shot at making it to worlds again.”

Webb winter season robotics enthusiasts toiled from 2:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday night to prepare and set up for the following morning’s tournament. At 6:00 a.m. the next day, several members of the robotics team gathered in the Chandler lab to make final touches on their robots.

The entire team trekked up the hill to the Les Perry Gymnasium at 7:30 a.m. to battle against twelve other teams from the cities of Claremont, Walnut, Hacienda Heights, Pomona, Chino Hills, La Verne, Upland, and Loma Linda.

Member of the WEBB.exe team flew to Houston last spring to compete in the World Championships. Graphic courtesy of Cecilia Li (’20).

While Webb participated in the Houston FIRST World Championships last year, the team lost a handful of extremely talented graduating seniors who specialized in the mechanics field. At noon, officials announced the finalized results of the tournament: the Gaulbots came in 11th, while WEBB.exe finished 13th.

Andrew Hamilton, assistant coach of the robotics program, said, “I think the Webb robotics team knows that the results were a little bit disappointing, but they did an amazing job getting the event ready the night before. The students really assembled everything; they put the tables together and got the mats set up. Although Webb placed 11th and 13th, the robots were better than the results suggest.”

Each member of Webb robotics contributes to a specialized role on the team: mechanics, programming, or computer aid designing. Mechanics assemble the physical aspects of the robot, programmers code for both autonomous and driver control settings, and computer aid designers 3D print the individual parts of the robot.

Isabella Shi (‘21) said, “This is my fourth season on the robotics team here at Webb, and my favorite part is definitely learning through hands-on experiences. I spent the first two seasons focusing on coding, but didn’t really like it so I easily switched to mechanics. I have really found a passion for this engineering-based field of robotics because more experienced team members are teaching me new skills every day.”

Webb robotics offers opportunities for students to join the afternoon activity group in the fall and winter seasons. From programming to hands-on mechanics, robotics offers a place for everyone.

IMG_9975
Members of the robotics team are fully engaged in maximizing their test driving time.
1
View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in Science and Technology
Opening the WebbGPT website, Christina sees an array of blue colors along with different tabs that interest Christina Young (‘25). “I am interested to see how WebbGPT works,” Christina said. It's an interesting concept that Webb came up with that I am excited to try out.” Although the website is online, it is still not ready to be used by all Webb students yet. However, the goal of this program is to eventually assist all Webb students in academics and school life.
What happened to WebbGPT?
The Charles Huang Innovation Wing is sealed away by a “coming soon" sign. The Wing, with new technologies in the areas of robotics and AI, is expected to be open soon after winter break. “I was under the impression that this was going to be a makers space,” Andrew Barrantes (’25) said. Students have high hopes in the Wing to open new learning opportunities.
Charles Huang Innovation Wing opens new horizons
Behind the door of the science office, the Mission Statement for the Webb Schools Science Department reminds students and teachers of the purpose and priorities of Webb’s science department. The statement emphasizes empowering students to be global citizens with the intention of serving their community. Looking at the mission statement, increasing diversity in the workplace aligns with this message, encouraging female students to take advanced courses.
Why do no girls take physics? An in-depth study of STEM at Webb
Students gather in the Fawcett Library to discuss the next steps of WebbGPT. Members of the WebbGPT team will begin meeting during office hours and flex time. “I would love for students to help me out, and you know, we've got some pretty cool things planned,” said Mr. Mantha.
Students aid in the introduction of WebbGPT
The Honor Cabinet members placed posters all over the dining hall and the tables. The posters read, “Don’t use tech! Try to connect!” to promote conversation. “So many posters were published around campus as a way to launch the initiative in a noticeable way,” said Frannie Hinch (‘25), an Honor Cabinet member. “the main goal of the posters was to remind people that by not using their tech they would form better communities.” This campaign serves to help remind Webbies to have genuine, face-to-face conversations with each other instead of connecting through technology.
Initiative to connect without tech!
Webb’s empty Health Center is decorated with Christmas trees and warm lights for the holidays. The COVID-19 testing station is no longer present, and significantly fewer students pay regular visits to the Center than in the last few winters.
Seasonal disease prevention vs. treatment: what’s better, and what’s changed since Covid
More in Showcase
Sarah Lantz, Dean of Students, and Micheal Hoe, Assistant Head of School, explain procedures for the Honor Pledge Ceremony to students sitting outside the chapel. This is the first time students have had to sit outside to accommodate the larger number of students in a co-ed ceremony. “We had new signers for the Honor Pledge and escorts sit outside the chapel and watch the ceremony on TVs, which was a new addition this year,” said Scott Wishek (‘25), chair of the honor council.
Honor Pledge Ceremony shifts with one school model
Tyler Liu (‘25), the publisher Mr. Dashwood in Webb’s 2024 Fall production Little Women , flits though the clothes rack, looking for the jacket to his costume. Every play begins and ends with its costumes. “The suit is really nice, and it really feels like I’m an English gentleman,” Tyler said. The theater program was able to borrow fine clothing from a local costume shop, ensuring each actor had period-appropriate suits or dresses tailored to them.
Little Women: A behind-the-scenes look at how Little Women united
Maddie Leiva (‘27) and Gavin Hamilton (‘27) dramatically pose while holding signs promoting the democratic and republican parties respectively. The two students are both expressing dismay for each other's signs, however situations such as this disagreement are encouraged at Webb. “It's important to keep people in your life that you disagree with, because it kind of affirms what you really believe in,” Saraya Chigoji (‘27) said. Moments of debate build stronger individuals who can allow political differences to coexist.
Webb undermines political diversity
Webb students gathered on Thursday, October 31st in their most creative and fun costumes for the annual Halloween costume contest. The energy buzzed with excitement, and many students wore unique costumes. “It’s all about having fun and expressing ourselves,” said Joyce Zhao (’25), who dressed up as the chef from Ratatouille for the contest. The event was a lively embodiment of school spirit, bringing the Webb community together as everyone paraded down the Halloween contest in their different costumes.
What are Webbies dressing up as for Halloween?
Parents visited the Honors Spanish 3 class at Webb taught by Ms. Viviana Nicolosi. Students in the class sat in a circle on the ground as they engaged in activities and interacted with one another. Parents also participated in activities such as “Chocolate,” where parents were paired with their kids, clapping while shouting out: “chocolate.” As Carolyn Wang (‘26) shared, “on Family Day, I had a great time in my classes, especially in Spanish class, where we played games.”
Family Day arrives at Webb
Tyler Liu (‘25) and Jay Pang (‘25) model the current political climate of division in the upcoming election. “People literally beat each other up over the election,” Jay said. “It’s crazy.” The political divide in the United States is becoming increasingly tense, and many students at Webb feel it in this community as well.
Poll reveals political divisions and shifts in the Webb community
About the Contributor
Sydney Wuu
Sydney Wuu, Editor-in-Chief
Imagine being Editor-in-Chief for the Webb Canyon Chronicle, VWS all-school president, co-captain of the varsity tennis and water polo teams, and a big-time koala lover! Sydney Wuu (‘20), a senior boarding student from Pasadena, California, is all of these descriptions at once. You can catch Sydney listening to Khalid, watching Disney movies, or hanging out with her friends eating green tea mochi. Born on July 1st, Sydney portrays many of the characteristics of a Cancer: creative, loyal, and adventurous. Sydney employs these skills in her favorite humanities classes such as Advanced Studies Human Migration or Advanced Studies Cold War Era. Her goal this year is to broaden the horizons of the WCC with different forms of media, such as YouTube, Spotify playlists, and infographics.