MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) — The Mt. Zion robotics team is learning how to use problem solving skills while aiming for the number one spot.

Carl Scherer, a Caterpillar design engineer and Mt. Zion robotics team instructor, told WAND News, "I think it is important as an engineer to bring up some of the next generations of engineers."

The team is working to be the best of the best by taking part in the First Program. This is an international program that encourages kids to learn more about robotics. In central Illinois, there are 12 other teams that Mt. Zion competes against, and 16 more in Southern Illinois. 

"The students are starting out their competition every year is a new challenge so they're working towards trying to identify what problems are in the challenge and what's different from previous years," said Scherer.

The students put their robots together piece by piece and then come together as a team to overcome the challenges that they face during the competition. 

"We have a diverse group of kids here that come from all different backgrounds and things really start to come together as they work together," said Scherer.

As they work together and realize the importance of communication and teamwork, they are also learning important engineering principals. The lessons that they are learning are preparing them for the future as they face greater challenges. 

"I think we have a lot of problems in the world that advanced technologies can help resolve and the students they have all kinds of new ideas," said Scherer.

The students are preparing for their futures in the professional work force, because of dedicated instructors like Scherer, leaving an impact on these future engineers as they prepare to make their mark on the world. 

"I think this program has a big foundation of what they call gracious professionalism, and they work towards trying to have the kids present their project at the end of the year as you know we do in the corporate world."

Copyright 2024. WANDTV. All Rights Reserved.