UCMS Robotics Club traveling competitive road to nationals

Drones buzzed, rovers stalled and students adapted as UCMS Robotics Club put problem-solving strategies to the test at sectionals. The Unicoi County Middle School Robotics Club is turning setbacks into learning moments as students compete in sectional and regional robotics events while preparing for a return to nationals. Instructor Eric Brummett said the team is already focused on the next level of competition. "We're getting ready to go to nationals this year," he said. "It's going to be held at the East Tennessee State University again this year. There were a lot more teams that were at regionals, so there will be more competition this year than last year. There were about 35 teams altogether." The club competed at its regional meet in early November, which served as part of the sectional qualifying process. Brummett said the team placed 16th out of 35 teams, competing against both middle and high school programs. Despite the mixed field, the middle school team held its own. At competitions, students are tasked with completing a rotating set of missions that change each year. "At competitions there are certain missions that have to be completed, which changes each year," he said. "Whether it's going in and using a rover to get gold from a cave or a mineshaft or just flying our drones." Brummett said the technical challenges are matched by the life skills students gain along the way. "Patience," he said. "Students definitely learn patience as well as determination — because anything that can go wrong will go wrong in these competitions. They're also learning how to be able to adapt on the fly and make the corrections." During nationals last year, both students and Brummett recalled a moment when the rover stopped working, followed by trouble with the drone once the rover was repaired. "It teaches them not to panic and to adapt and keep moving," he said. The club also emphasizes academic connections, particularly in math and STEM-related skills. Brummett said robotics requires careful measurement, planning and programming. "When we are running our robotic equipment we need all the dimensions measured out," he said. "We have to do that hands-on. So they will pretty much hit a button, and all of that has already been programmed." Beyond competition scores, Brummett said robotics opens students' eyes to future careers and real-world applications. "The Robotics Club is preparing them for the future," he said. "We look at how we can adapt these robots to be able to complete tasks that are maybe not safe for human lives, and lessens risks." The team reached a milestone last year when it advanced to nationals for the first time and placed eighth overall. Since then, Brummett said the program has expanded to more schools, increasing competition, noting it was expanded to 45 teams, only keeping the top 20. The 2025 Robot Drone League Nationals will occur on Jan. 25 at ETSU. He said all projects are funded through various STEM and education grants, and each student has a specific role during competitions. He said they must work together to complete missions under pressure. Students said their favorite part of sectionals was operating the drone and successfully landing it on platforms. While several other students said the social aspect of robotics is just as important as the technical work. Brummett noted that students learn teamwork, leadership and how to be part of a community while building friendships. "I probably enjoyed going to the competitions overall," said Atticus Brown. "We get to meet new people, and I made a few friends while we were there." For others, robotics connects directly to personal interests. Morgan Blankenship said his interest began with mechanical engineering. "I really like mechanical engineering and stuff like that," Blankenship said. "It's similar but just with different parts…" "I've just always liked taking things apart to see how they work," added Monroe Ricker. When asked why learning robotics matters, students echoed Brummett's belief that the field represents the future. "Robots help improve what we can do in the future," said Josiah Sneyd. "It helps us to be able to get to certain areas to save lives and help them. There's also robots that can go into people's bodies and help them survive illnesses that they can't survive today." Sneyd added, "It can also help us find out more about what's in the ocean." For the UCMS Robotics Club, sectionals were another step in a growing journey that blends technology, teamwork and resilience, with nationals now firmly in sight.