WELCOME TO HMS ROBOTICS

The future of STEM

The Holmes Middle School Robotics program began in 2009 when the team facilitator saw a need for students to learn about the exciting possibilities the STEM field offered. The program began with LEGO robotics and grew to the VEX program. The first years only EDR was offered, but as more students joined IQ was established.

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ABOUT US

Who We Are

The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These are just a few of the many fields students can explore by creating with VEX Robotics technology. In the Holmes Middle School Program, VEX IQ is offered for sixth grade students as an introduction to robotics. VEX IQ teaches students the basic processes of building and programming a robot. Students build plastic robots which can be programmed. Students compete at local competitions. VEX EDR is offered for students in seventh and eighth grade. After elevating to VEX EDR, students can use their knowledge in a more difficult project. In EDR, teams use metal parts and other mechanisms to build a robot that will be used in VEX EDR competitions. Beyond science and engineering principles, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving. With the knowledge learned at the middle school level, students become successful in high school programs.

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MISSION STATEMENT: TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY WHERE ANY STUDENT CAN LEARN AND APPLY KNOWLEDGE ON DIFFERENT STEM PROJECTS IN A SAFE SETTING.

Holmes Middle School strives to give our club members the knowledge and experience needed to prepare them for the STEM field. The mission of the Holmes Eaglebotz Robotics Program is to create a place where students, regardless of their situation, can learn science and engineering. Through several projects, students learn skills that could be used in a variety of STEM careers.

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TEAMS

Meet the current Teams

Home: Team

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1469A

1469A is a two-girl team. Carla is an 8th grade student in her third year of robotics. Lauren is in her second year of robotics with the experience of attending VEX World as a sixth grade student. Both girls design, build, program, and drive their robot.

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1469E

Team 1469E is a team of six. The team consists of five 8th grade and one 7th grade student. Ian is the team captain, engineer and is in his second year of robotics. Saul in his second year of robotics is the team assistant engineer and head coder, Richard, in his second year is the head engineer, assistant coder, and driver. Denise and Lexi are new to robotics this year. Denise is the journalist and assistant driver. Lexi is team journalist and photographer.

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1469X

Team 1469E is a team of three seventh grade students. Makayla is in her second year of robotics and the team captain and journalist. She also designs and drives. Zamira is in her second year of robotics and driver. David transferred to Holmes this year and is the builder, driver, and engineer.

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11566A

VEX IQ Team 11566A came to an elementary school tour and decided to come to Holmes. This team competed together in elementary school and are having a good year having won the Design Award earning them an invitation to State. This sixth grade team consists of five members: Albert, captain; Rebecca, driver; Diana, Engineering Notebook designer; Nathan, driver; Raji, designer.

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11566B

Team 11566B has five sixth grade students new to robotics this year. Derek is driver and journalist, Nicolas is team captain, programmer, and builder, Westly is builder, Isis is journalist and driver, and Rachel (not pictured) is a driver

PROGRAMS

So what is Vex?

VEX Robotics is a national robotics program where teams collaborate and compete against each other in order to complete a specific task. Their goal, which we share, is to create a larger community of students interested in STEM so that they will be the innovators of the future. In order to achieve this, VEX Robotics contains multiple division to cater to different age groups, while still teaching the core values of science, technology, engineering, and math. At Holmes Middle School, we have the VEX IQ program for 6th graders and the VEX EDR program for 7th and 8th graders.

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VEX IQ

The VEX IQ program is a introduction in robotics where students get use to VEX robotics through parts made of plastic and block-based programming.The goal of the program is to spark the curiosity of student while they are still young so that they begin their pathway into STEM early. Simple and intuitive parts allow students to easily start competing while still building the skills they need to succeed as engineers. The program also serves as a springboard into the next level of robotics: VEX EDR.

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VEX EDR

In VEX EDR, students are no longer given pre-sized parts but instead cut lengths of aluminum and steel along with sensors, wires, and a PCB "brain" to build their robot. The programming is text based and uses a language that is similar to C called robotC. This robotics program exposes students to the more theoretical portions of STEM such as physics calculations, CAD simulations, and program theory.

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PROJECTS

We do more!

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School Tours

Holmes Middle School brings students from the local elementary schools to see our programs. During these eleven tours, we introduce young students to the STEM field. Students are allowed to interact with Vex IQ parts and build a robot of their own. Demonstrations using the Vex EDR are also provided to the students. Through these tours, we build an interest in our program.

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Girl's Powered Event

For a second year, we hosted a "Girl Powered Extravaganza" an event where we promote "Girl Power." This event consists of several booths that host various STEM activities including
Robotics, Pulley systems, Water Rockets
Building Block Towers, Density Bottles, and Clay Boats. We also host a speaker from the Engineering Department (above) at Cal State Northridge to share their experiences in the STEM field. This event promotes female empowerment and breaks gender conformity in the STEM field. Students from several elementary schools are invited to come take part in this event.

Vex Competitions

Annually, we host two competitions. We hold the Vex in the Valley IQ competition in the fall and the Vex in the Valley Valentine Day EDR competition in February. Schools around California are invited to attend these competitions. Club members are also encouraged to volunteer.

SFHOA Block Party

Both the EDR and IQ team have presented the robotics programs during community events.

CURRENT EVENTS

Home: News

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TEAM 11566A MADE IT TO STATE!

December 8, 2018

Team 11566 won the Design Award at the Vex in the Valley IQ competition. This is a major achievement and we are all glad that we will be going to State. Good job, Team 11566!
Team members include: Albert, Nathan, Raji, Diana, and Rebecca.

COACHES

Always here to help

ROBYN ALBAECK

Club Coordinator/Facilitator

Mrs. Albaeck, a Holmes Middle School engineering teacher, began the Holmes Robotics Club in 2009. Her goal is to give students the opportunity to learn engineering skills while having fun at the same time.

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VINCENT R.

Volunteer/Coach

Vincent is a high school sophomore who volunteers to help the robotics club students design and program their robots. He mentors the students during club meetings and competitions. He has his own robotics team.

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RYAN L.

Volunteer/Coach

Ryan, a high school freshman, is a former Eaglebotz team member who began in 2015. He has returned this year to help the current teams become successful. He helps around the club and attends competitions.