Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Second Circuit: Steven Lugo (left) cheers as he and Santos Tenorio move their robot into position at the SJSU Event Center.




Broadway robo team wins despite a fifth-place finish

Teammates ask SJUSD board for $86,000 to fund 59 more teams across school district

By Chantal Lamers

When Broadway High School's robotics team packed its bags for a national competition in Orlando a few weeks ago, the team dreamed of coming home with a first-place trophy. Even though they placed fifth at the competition, the Broadway students still returned to San Jose as winners.

During the competition in Florida, San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Linda Murray announced that the district would be the first in the nation to implement robotics programs in each of its schools. It was an effort driven by Broadway's robotics team, one that many believe will set a precedent for other districts across the nation.

David Brown, executive director of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), said SJUSD's lead in teaching robotics will be significant in several ways. "It sends a message to students and teachers that this is a learning method we endorse," Brown said.

He also said it proves that the district isn't resting and works constantly to improve the learning process in new and creative ways.

But more important is the effect SJUSD will have on robotics programs nationwide. "We had a number of board members envious that San Jose Unified took the lead spot in this," Brown said. "Teachers there walked away from that very impressed."

Many teams that Broadway competed against have over 100 members, compared to Broadway's eight members. In Florida, Broadway received the National Judges Award. "They're a very small team with a tremendous impact," Brown said.

On Jan. 27, six members of the Broadway high school robotics team made a plea to SJUSD board members, requesting that they budget $86,000 to fund 59 robotics teams throughout the district.


Photograph by Skye Dunlap

'Bot Wired: Volunteer NASA engineers in action with Broadway student Santos Tenorio.




About 100 Broadway students will have to choose a new high school before the school's transition to the John Muir site. Students made the proposal because some students on the robotics team don't want to decide until they know which schools will sponsor a team.

"We don't want to change schools until we know there will be a robotics team next year," said Broadway sophomore Brenden Collins at the January meeting. "There should be teams at every high school," he said.

Sarah Thornhill told board members that being a part of the team has made her realize that careers in science and technology are not beyond her reach. Thornhill was even offered an internship by NASA, one of the program's sponsors.

Jason Morrella, Broadway's robotics coach, said that starting next fall, every elementary, middle and high school campus will offer students the opportunity to join a robotics class or robotics club. Broadway's team will present robot demonstrations during assemblies to give a jump start to new teams.

Engineers from companies like Applied Materials are already being recruited to help mentor individual teams. "That's the most important part of the program," Morrella said. "It doesn't work without getting local business involved."

But Morrella and his robotics team are still basking in the thrill of winning two regional tournaments and acting as a model for other districts in the Bay Area. Morrella hopes Murray's courage in taking on this challenge will cause a domino effect in nearby school districts such as East Side San Jose School District.

Now, Murray is taking the district's involvement in robotics one step further. SJUSD is attempting to convince the University of California to count robotics classes toward admission requirements.

Murray hopes the program will prompt more students to pursue careers in science and engineering, and that robotics programs will give students the hands-on skills they need. "We think Silicon Valley is the right place to set an example," Murray said.

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