Penn Manor High School's combined drone/land robotics team composed of Wyatt Clare, Ben Thomas, and Mushna Subba finished first in both the air and the combined air/land competition in the Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Challenge regional, which was held at Millersville University on April 22.

"I was glad but wasn't surprised that we won the air challenge, (because) we did the best," Wyatt said. "I was surprised that we won the combination challenge, as we didn't finish the task, but we did follow the rules more strictly than the other team."

Ben said, "I felt relieved due to how much time I had devoted to developing a bolt-together/modular system. I tried to challenge myself to do things in an organized, professional manner, and it seems to have paid off."

The Penn Manor robotics team is made up of a total of 10 freshmen and sophomores who meet weekly during the FLEX period and for occasional build sessions after school. Gifted support adviser Jonathan Zimmerman said the team works "in small groups to develop, build, and test their robots for specific challenges. Each team creates detailed design reports, builds prototypes, tests their designs, and ultimately competes. The build process can span one to two years from initial concept to competition-ready robot."

"I am interested in robotics because it combines all areas of STEM and requires innovation and problem-solving skills," Wyatt said. "I enjoy being a part of the team because I can be around people who share the same interest in robotics as I do."

Ben added, "My interest in robotics stems from my natural inclination to work with my hands to solve mechanical problems."

Zimmerman said the robotics program has been active since 2018. "It was founded by students with a strong passion for engineering," said Zimmerman, adding that a grant from the Penn Manor Education Foundation provided the team with the funding needed to get off the ground and begin building. The adviser also stated that ongoing support from local mentor Dan Yocom has been integral to the team's growth and success.

Penn Manor finished first in the drone challenge in 2018 at the SEAL competition at Millersville. In 2019, the Comets' squad expanded into combat robotics and took part in the 15-pound battle bot class at Bloomsburg Area High School's annual "Rage in the Cage" event. Penn Manor later transitioned to the 3-pound class, which allowed for more teams and additional builds, Zimmerman said.

Penn Manor finished first in the combined air/land competition in 2023. The region event is the last tournament of the season.

"The overarching goal of the Penn Manor robotics team is to provide students with a space to challenge their minds through investigation and innovation," Zimmerman said. "Robotics requires a high level of motivation, perseverance, and precision. Teams often spend hours troubleshooting through trial and error. My goal for team members is not only to develop technical skills in building and programming but also to foster teamwork, creativity, and the resilience to overcome adversity and failure."