McGuffey School District
In McGuffey School District, innovation and engineering have found a stronghold in the high school robotics team, spearheaded by Technology Education teacher Mr. Valentine. As the team’s founder and advisor, Mr. Valentine has not only cultivated technical skill among his students but also sparked a passion for problem-solving, design, and collaboration. This year, the team competed in the BOTS IQ competition, a manufacturing-based robotics program that partners with the region’s top employers and educators to connect students with future careers in STEM and advanced manufacturing. The competition involves designing and building a 15-pound robot to battle in a gladiator-style arena—an intense, technical challenge that stretches students' critical thinking and ingenuity.
McGuffey’s team began preparations for this year’s event the moment last year’s competition ended. From initial brainstorming to battle, the process of building a bot is layered with complexity. Students started with an idea, then brought it to life using design software like Fusion 360. Trial and error played a big role—last year, the bot got stuck on the flooring, so this year the students implemented larger wheels to avoid that issue. Once the design was finalized, components were fabricated through a variety of methods: 3D printing, water jet cutting, welding, and more. The students even crafted their own batteries, complete with soldered and heat-shrunk outputs, and integrated an ESC—Electronic Speed Controller—for motor regulation.
This year’s bot, cleverly named *Smore What*, features a vertical spinner—referred to as the weapon—designed to “bite” into the competition, quite literally. And if it gets flipped in battle? No problem. This bot is engineered to drive inverted, allowing it to keep moving and stay in the fight. With only 20 minutes between matches to assess and repair any damage, the students must think quickly and act even faster. They're responsible for maintaining an engineering binder, a crucial piece of the competition that documents every step of the build process—from design iterations to testing results and reflection on performance. It’s more than a robot; it’s a months-long project that demands precision, teamwork, and real-world technical application.
With help from local partner Accutrex Products, students were able to get parts fabricated for this year’s bot but aim to produce everything in-house in future builds. Every piece of this experience mimics what it’s like to work in advanced manufacturing—from deadlines and design constraints to communication and repair under pressure. The competition itself has strict rules, a detailed scoring system, and multiple ways a bot can be disqualified. Only two matches are guaranteed, meaning every second in the arena counts.
McGuffey’s robotics team put their months of hard work to the test at the BOTS IQ competition—and it paid off. Out of 67 teams, they proudly placed 17th overall, a remarkable achievement for only their second year in competition. The team walked away with three match wins and two losses, but their success wasn’t only measured in points and placement. Their character and camaraderie shone just as brightly as their engineering skills—they tied for 1st place in the Best Sportsmanship Award, a testament to the integrity, respect, and teamwork they brought to the arena.
From detailed planning and technical precision to quick-thinking repairs and sportsmanlike conduct, the McGuffey robotics team demonstrated everything these competitions are meant to inspire. Their experience reflects not only their growth as engineers and innovators but as leaders and collaborators—ready to take on whatever challenge comes next.
