CLHS Robotics Team Wins Grant

The Canyon Lake High School robotics team wanted a bigger challenge.

So it applied for and in December won the 2017 Texas Workforce Commission Grant Award for a Rookie Team.

The grant allows the school’s  robotics squad “Wing It” to compete in one of the most prestigious events in the state, the “FIRST” robotics competition in San Antonio in April 2018.

The grant will pay Canyon Lake High School’s $6,000 entry fee into the FIRST robotics competition. The grant also covers the cost of the robot CLHS  enters into the contest.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

“Although we’ve had a robotics team at Canyon Lake High School for several years, and have competed at smaller events, this competition is a much bigger stage,” says Patrick Fallin, Canyon Lake High robotics teacher and coach. “FIRST is much more robust with their robotics and engineering, and so much more is involved in developing a larger robot. It’s a real challenge that our students have embraced.”

This is the first year Canyon Lake High School has offered Robotics as a class and not just an extra-curricular activity.

“This grant is exactly what we needed – more involved, stronger competition,” Fallin says. “FIRST definitely fits that bill.”

Fallin, who is in his ninth year at CLHS, says he’s excited about the momentum the entire engineering program is gaining at the high school.

“Right now we have four engineering classes and next year we’ll have six, which will be a full program from our freshmen on up,” he says. “I’m very excited. That’s what I’ve been working toward since I’ve been in the district.”

Student Matthew Bell, one of Fallin’s students for three straight years, is a member of the robotics team. He says he loves creating things, and the team is the perfect outlet.

“I feel because of this grant and the fact we’re going to different competitions our program will just continue to grow and get better,” he says. “We’re just setting the foundation for the future.”