The Becton High School Robotics Team, known as the Bectobots, is preparing for an exciting journey at the FTCNJ State Championship, the Garden State Rumble, today, March 16, at Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, NJ. Nearly 48 teams from across New Jersey will compete for the state title in what promises to be a thrilling day of innovation and engineering.
Since September, the Bectobots have been hard at work, designing and refining their robot to meet the challenges of the competition. This year’s primary challenge is building a robot capable of hanging from a bar. Team advisor, Mrs. Mackanin shares, “We have come close, but we’re still working on perfecting it.” Along with hanging from the bar, the robot must pick up and place specimens into baskets, all while navigating obstacles.
Nonetheless, the team has made significant strides in their autonomous period, during which their robot operates based on pre-written code. “We were one of the few teams to hang two specimens early on, and now we’re aiming to perfect our code to hang three during the autonomous period at the state competition,” divulged Mrs. Mackanin.
Despite facing challenges throughout the season, including technical issues that caused the BectoBots to lose their first two matches at a previous competition in February, the team’s resilience remained evident by still claiming two awards, and winning the tournament championship—all in one day. “It taught us to always be prepared for things to go wrong, but we learned we can overcome challenges,” Mrs. Mackanin reflects. The team quickly bounced back, ultimately becoming the highest-scoring team at the event with 264 points.
The team’s ranking is determined by the accumulation of points from various events starting in September. While a software issue dropped them from a top 5 position to 7th place during one competition, they recovered to finish 4th overall. “We scored the most points of the day once we got our robot back up and running,” Mrs. Mackanin proudly shares. With this ranking, the Bectobots secured their spot in the state championship.
At the heart of the team’s success is strong leadership. Nina Podkalicka, the team captain, plays a key role in guiding the Bectobots. “As captain, I focus on the mechanical side of the robot, while my co-captain, Medhashree Suram, handles coding, outreach, and social media,” Podkalicka explains. This balance of leadership allows team members to focus on their strengths and work collaboratively toward success.
Their season has been all about growth, both in and out of competition. Back in December, the Bectobots made history by hosting a STEM-focused practice session with teams from South Africa. Partnering with the Sakhikamva Foundation and Dr. Jakoet, they went from learners to leaders, helping international teams get ready for the FTC global competition. It was a huge moment for the team, showing how much they have grown and how STEM and robotics can bring people together from around the world.
Indeed, this year marks a historic milestone for the Becton robotics team as they head to the state competition for the first time in the program’s 8-year history. The competition, which will run from 8 AM to 5 PM, will feature 48 teams, many from tech schools with advanced resources. “Our strategy is speed. If we can score specimens faster than the other teams, we have a chance to beat teams that may have a technical edge,” Nina notes.
The team’s robot is designed to complete several tasks: run an autonomous program, park, hang specimens, and score samples. “We’re currently consistently scoring seven specimens, and we’re working hard to improve that number to eight or nine by adjusting our code,” Nina shares.
For the Bectobots, reaching the state competition is already a huge achievement. But there’s more at stake: a potential qualification for the World Championship in Houston, Texas. “If we win at states, we’ll qualify for Worlds, which would be an amazing experience. We’d have to secure funding, but that’s a challenge we’re ready to face,” remarked Mrs. Mackanin.
In addition to their technical challenges, the Bectobots are grateful for the support they receive from the community. Mrs. Mackanin highlights the importance of spectator presence at events. “Before COVID, parents, friends, and anyone interested would come and cheer us on, just like at a basketball game,” she explained. “When matches resumed post-COVID, spectators were not allowed for a while, but it’s only been about two years since the stands were filled again. It makes such a difference to have support in the stands.”
Support also comes in the form of fundraisers, where students from Becton High School can get involved and help the team continue to thrive, or even discover an interest in joining the team. “We’re always looking for ways to involve others and show that the robotics team is a welcoming space for anyone willing to learn and contribute,” Mrs. Mackanin adds.
As the Bectobots prepare for their debut in the state competition, Nina has one final message for the Becton community, “We’ve worked incredibly hard to get here, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for the team. Whether we win or lose, this is an experience that we will always remember. The best part is knowing that our hard work paid off and we have set the tone for future teams to succeed.”
No matter the outcome, the Becton High School Robotics Team is already a success, having made history with their first-ever trip to the FTCNJ State Championship. With determination and teamwork, the Bectobots are ready to take on the challenge and represent BRHS with pride.
Follow along on X: FTC TEAM 13617 BECTOBOTS, as they compete in the FTC Robotics State Tournament!
