tvc.dsj.org | May 9, 2017
CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS
17
Archbishop Mitty Robotics Program Thrives in New Sobrato Center
Since the Sobrato Center opened in
January, Archbishop Mitty High School
(AMHS) students have been busy using
state-of-the-art machinery to build their
competition robot. The new building
includes a 1,982-square-foot workspace
for the robotics team, providing a large
open space where technology and
creativity can come together under the
same roof.
The school’s growing robotics pro-
gram complements the AMHS mission
of providing students with a rigorous
academic program that prepares them
to be leaders in a 21st century global
society. The new space holds a mill, a
bandsaw, a drill press, and a variety
of hand tools to help students fabricate
their competition robot. Since the robot-
ics team now has a larger area to work,
the school also invested in some large
scale specialty equipment, including a
lathe and Computer Numerical Control
(CNC) mill, to help students build their
robots. AMHS also purchased 3D print-
ers, which can be used to create models
of students’ ideas.
“My favorite part is seeing our stu-
dents develop from freshmen with little
to no experience through their high
school careers and beyond,” said Mr.
Mike Greene, the robotics team modera-
tor. “Students learn and develop skills
that they will use throughout their lives,
such as working as part of a team, de-
sign principles, time management skills,
interpersonal skills, and goal setting.”
The robotics build season begins in
January and ends in February, mean-
ing students must design and fabri-
cate their entire competition piece in
just six weeks. Each year, the team is
challenged to create a robot that can
perform a specific task, such as racing,
climbing, or launching projectiles.
At Archbishop Mitty, students
can also take classes that focus on
machine design and programming,
giving them a head start on concepts
they’ll encounter in college and the
workplace. The robotics courses teach
the basics of programming and elemen-
tary electronics. Students learn to use
Mechanical Computer-Aided Design
(MCAD) software to create plans for
their projects. Then, they use 3D print-
ers and the CNC machining center to
create physical models of their designs.
Seniors can also take an engineering
class on machine design, which covers
how structures such as gears, springs,
bearings, and brakes operate. In that
class, students focus on projects in the
robotic or industrial arenas and use
the school’s 3D printers and machin-
ing facilities to transform their ideas
into models.
Alumni of the robotics program
have gone on to work for Google and
SpaceX, an American aerospace manu-
facturer, but Mr. Greene still remem-
bers the days when they we re learning
how to use drills or going through their
first professional design reviews. Even-
tually, early participants in the pro-
gram mastered those skills and shared
those new skills with novice members
of the team. For many, a passion for
designing robots turns into a career
in engineering or computer science.
Regardless of what careers students
pursue after high school, members of
the robotics team at Archbishop Mitty
High School learn life lessons about
dedication and teamwork while work-
ing with state-of-the-art technology.
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF MITTY
THIS SUMMER.
Join us from June through July to experience our customized quality
enrichment and athletic camp programs. Our nurturing teachers and
coaches will stimulate your child’s curiosity and promote his or her personal
development and achievement. Camp prices start at $170.
Saint Simon First Grade Hosts Lenten Bake Sale
Supporting Operation Rice Bowl
On March 23, Saint Simon Parish
School’s first grade classes hosted their
annual bake sale to support Catholic
Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl. To
support this Lenten outreach activity,
each grade brainstorms and develops
projects to help raise the funds for
their respective rice bowls. While some
grades have individual or class proj-
ects, first grade has a group initiative
putting on a bake sale.
“Past bake sales have raised hun-
dreds of dollars, but this year’s sale was
so large it went on for two days and first
grade raised a record amount $1,142,”
said Steve Rummell, principal.
The students, with parent supervi-
sion, each prepared batches of treats for
sale in order to raise money. Leading up
to the event, the first graders gave special
announcements at morning assembly
encouraging students in other grades
to support them. “My favorite part was
selling our food to the whole school,”
said one student.
All of the students appreciated the
opportunity to work towards a collec-
tive end, but also a goal of service to
others. As one first grader said after
two days of giving up her recess to
sell the treats, “I loved the bake sale
because we were helping people get
food and a warm house.”
Saint Simon School provides stu-
dents with a variety of service learning
and outreach projects over the course
of the year. Many of these projects are
done in concert with parish ministries,
which enhances the partnership be-
tween the parish and the school.
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN.
More information is available online at
www.mitty.com/summer-program
or by calling the Summer Program Office
at (408) 342-4200.
A R C H B I S H O P
S U M M E R
P R O G R A M