The Becton Regional High School Robotics Team, BectoBots, is thriving this year, with their sights set on the state tournament in February! While qualifying for the competition has always been their primary goal, the team is reaching for even greater heights this season. They’re determined to claim first place in the First Tech Challenge (FTC) events, all while honing their skills, fostering innovation, and growing as a team.
Every year has new challenges, and this year is no exception. The team must create a robot from scratch that is specifically designed for the competition’s task. They might have to launch a paper airplane one year, or they might have to construct a robot that can hang hooks the following. Due to the ever-changing hurdles, the team is always learning new abilities, from robot assembly to coding, as they prepare to compete against 25 other high schools in their region.
One of the team’s recent wins at the Nov. 9, 2024 competition demonstrates their development and dedication. Becton’s Robotics Team finished 2nd out of 40 teams, an extraordinary feat that left the entire team humming with joy. Their team also scored the highest as an alliance team partner. Much of the credit belongs to the tireless captains, Nina Podkalicka and Medhasree Suram, whose passion and teamwork moves the team forward.
“I’ll be honest and say that joining the Robotics Team didn’t really have much of a reason for me besides a hobby,” Podkalicka, the team captain, explains, “I chose to stay after school and join the team even though I had no intention of getting involved in anything similar in the future. A series of events led me to become captain, but by then, I had come to appreciate the team and the experiences it offered.”
As team leader, Podkalicka oversees the team’s overall organization, delegating roles and making choices about robot design and outreach. She also plays a major role in training the team’s drivers and creating the robot. “My biggest challenge is fitting everything within a tight timeframe,” Podkalicka says, “This year, we’ve had close competitions with little time in between, so we have to stay late or come in over weekends to make sure everything is ready.”
One of the key players in developing and programming the robot is co-captain Madhasree Suram. “I dedicate a lot of time outside of school to perfecting the code,” she states, “I even take the robot home to make sure everything works as intended, especially for the autonomous section of the competition.” This dedication has paid off: Becton’s autonomous abilities have become a crucial strength, with good marks in previous competitions and accolades from competition authorities.
Suram saw being co-captain as a natural development based on years of experience, teamwork and leadership. “I didn’t have a specific preparation process, but last year, I took on the responsibility of the autonomous code,” she informed, “I focused on improving my communication skills and ‘professional graciousness,’ especially for competitions, to better support the team in this leadership role.”
Suram is responsible for arranging team work, meeting deadlines, and maintaining clear communication among the group. “I work closely with Podkalicka and Mrs. Mackanin to strategize, troubleshoot and make critical decisions about the robot’s design,” Suram furthers, “I also help code our autonomous system and keep us organized and ready for upcoming competitions.”
As she considered her position, Suram clarified that one of the most difficult parts of the process is optimizing the autonomous code, “Before becoming a co-captain, I was the chief coder and created our autonomous team for last year’s game. The most difficult component is ensuring that the robot performs consistently during matches, matching precision with programming values—especially given battery variations.”
Suram believes the team’s particular strength is its strong camaraderie and different skill sets. “Everyone on the team brings something unique to the table, and we all collaborate in a way that showcases our strength,” she attests, “We spend an hour and a half each day after school working on the robot. Unlike many teams, where the oldest members play important roles, our freshmen—such as Reilly Chan—have made substantial contributions this year. Chan, who pilots the robot in contests, has never missed a meeting.”
As co-captain of the team, Suram has developed in ways that will help her long after the competition season is over. “This year, I’ve improved in managing tasks, solving conflicts and balancing technical work with teamwork,” She also speaks on her presence as a member, “Being a member of this team has pushed me beyond my comfort zone. As an introvert, I’ve had to improve my social skills, and being co-captain has helped me develop as a leader.”
Suram and Podkalicka’s responsibilities as co-captain and captain compliment one another perfectly. “Podkalicka leads in making quick decisions and setting the direction for the team,” Suram earnestly shares on behalf of her captain, “She constructs the majority of the robot, while I focus on programming it. Every day, we work together to keep everyone on track and organized. Our responsibilities are intertwined, making us a highly successful leadership duo.”
One of the most notable aspects of this year’s team is the incredible organization and camaraderie that has formed. Newcomers Reilly Chan, Jayden Pham and Sai Raguraman have injected new energy and enthusiasm into the squad, while veteran technician and troubleshooter Brandon Kim has proven to be a tremendous addition. “Our new members have really stepped up this year,” said Mrs. Mackanin, the team’s coach. “Reilly, Jayden, Sai and Brandon have brought a fresh dynamic that makes the team stronger and more efficient than before.”
Despite their accomplishments, the squad nevertheless faces persistent hurdles. The most major challenge in the Nov. 9 competition was the servos failing. These mechanical issues were easily solved by modifying the robot’s design, including moving the batteries to a vertical position for more stability. “Sometimes, parts break at the most inconvenient times,” Podkalicka humorously informs, “It’s always a race against the clock to get the replacements we need in time.”
The team is constantly improving its design and strategies. The Nov. 9 competition was a turning point, demonstrating the team’s capacity to adapt and thrive under pressure. “We had almost no practice time before the event, but our drivers—Chan and Suram—controlled the robot perfectly, earning us some of the highest scores of the day,” Podkalicka told, “We also made changes to the robot’s design to address stability issues, which made a huge difference.” Preparation for competitions is a constant process. “We practice a lot,” Podkalicka explained, “But we also watch other competitions to learn from our opponents and discover ways to outmaneuver them. Our strategy is always evolving.”
Becton’s robotics program is built around a self-directed learning approach. Mrs. Mackanin acts as a guide for the team rather than a hands-on leader. “The students take the time to learn everything they need to know about building, wiring and coding,” She explains, “I’m mechanically inclined, but I’m not sure how to code or work with wiring. They teach and learn with FTC-provided resources. It’s fantastic to watch how much they’ve grown, and I’m so proud to be a part of their adventure.”
As the team prepares for upcoming tournaments, including one on Jan. 6, 2024, their major objective is to finish in the top six, qualifying them for the state championship in February. Becton’s Robotics Team is on track to meet their objectives, thanks to a solid foundation and momentum built on recent wins. “My ultimate goal for this year is for the team to make it to the state competition,” Podkalicka shares, “We’re currently ranked second in our league, and if we can maintain these stats, we’ll secure a spot in the state tournament.”
Mrs. Mackanin, reflecting on their progress, added, “I am beyond myself with excitement! I’m very proud of how far our team has come. Every meeting, the captains delegate tasks and ensure that everyone works together. What makes me the most proud is that we have established such a dedicated and productive team. Being a BectoBot is something to be extremely proud of, and this year’s crew has definitely earned that honor.”
As the season progresses, Becton’s Robotics Team is primed for further success. At their most recent competition on Nov. 23, the BectoBots ranked #1 in the FTC (First Tech Challenge.) They are prepared to face any problems that arise and continue moving forward with hard work, devotion and a collaborative spirit.
