East Lake High School robotics team sends 45 students to save the galaxy
TARPON SPRINGS, FL, March 3, 2020 —Tampa Bay’s oldest robotics team, East Lake High School’s Team 79 Krunch, cranks up its 23rd season with the unveiling of their competitive robot on Friday, March 6. The demonstration will begin at 7 p.m at the East Lake High School Gymnasium.
This year FIRST Robotics has collaborated with Star Wars: Force for Change to develop a game that allows the students of Team 79 Krunch to step into a galaxy far, far away. That’s a challenge team president Kayley Brkljacic and her 44 teammates accept.
“There’s always unexpected problems and challenges and that’s what makes FIRST Robotics the hardest fun you’ll ever have,” said Brkljacic, a senior at East Lake High School.
Dedicated team members attend five meetings a week during a strenuous two month build season to design and construct their champion contender. While it may sound like ample time there’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into creating these robots. Not only do students work through the entire design process, but they also participate in community outreach. By hosting demos and attending community events students actively spread the message of FIRST and promote further STEM education.
“My favorite thing about robotics is getting to introduce people to what our team does,” said Kayley “I’m so happy to meet new members and watch more girls join the team every year.”
This year’s competition has Team 79 Krunch taking its robot on the road at competitive events in Orlando and Huntsville, Alabama.
During the March 6 debut, Team 79 Krunch will demonstrate what their robot would do during a match that normally features two alliances of three robots. Robots at the competition will race to shoot power cells, activate the shield generator and manipulate a control panel. At the end of the match, the robots will then attempt to climb the shield generator to energize it and claim victory by saving the city.
The public is invited on March 6, and there will be more robotic demonstrations, food and fun. Please RSVP or contact Todd Brooks at brooksto@pcsb.org and visit teamkrunch.weebly.com for more information.