SHELBY — Suzie Eickhoff is continuing to build up Shelby Middle School’s robotics team.
Starting this past September, the RoboDawgs met each Tuesday at the Shelby Dream Center — beginning with 16 sixth-grade students.
Leader of the program, Eickhoff provided a recap of the team’s inaugural season on Monday night during the Shelby Board of Education meeting.
She said nine students worked on their robots throughout the whole season, which lasted through the New Year. Eickhoff was one of two adult coaches, along with a teenage mentor.
“As a total, we had 382 hours of volunteer time between the three of us,” Eickhoff said. “We had a total sponsorship of $7,225 donated to the team (for last year).”
In January, the RoboDawgs participated in a competition day against other robotics teams — a new experience for two of the team’s members.
“They did great. We got good scores,” Eickhoff said. “We finished 15th. But for a team of mostly new students, that was really good.
“We were really proud of them. They did great. They had good sportsmanship and good behavior and interaction with other teams, which is kind of what we focus on.”
The RoboDawgs began recruitment for next school year this past spring, providing an opportunity for students to gauge their interest in the program.
Fourteen students have already registered to participate next fall, Eickhoff said.
Next season is quickly approaching, with a start date of Aug. 5, she said. The team has already raised a sponsorship amount of $5,250, with another $2,500 expected before the new season starts.
Scott Rose, president of the Shelby Board of Education, said the program has provided an exciting opportunity for students.
“I appreciate the time and the effort that you guys put into it, because it’s not easy,” Rose said to Eickhoff.