Congressman Gary Peters praised Seaholm’s Robotics team for its innovativeness during his visit on Friday, March 5.
Peters and his advisors learned of the Seaholm Robotics team through local media coverage after the team’s participation in a recent robotics competition
“I grew up in the area and was reading the Birmingham Eccentric one day, and I heard about the robotics program,” senior advisor Hy Safran said. “The awards the team had won impressed me. So I spoke to Mr. Piper and Mr. Simms and asked if Congressman Peters could stop by and see what a class like that is all about.”
A member of the House Subcommittee for Science and Technology, Peters was pleased with what he saw.
“Part of my work is to promote spending on public schools and assure that there is stability in the budget of education,” Peters (D-Troy) said. “I saw a premier program today. It is top notch.”
Voices grew quiet and nerves began to run high for the room of students as Peters strolled into the engineering shop. Senior captain Mike Sarzynski then showed Peters what his team has built.
“I was glad I got show him what we do and how robotics works,” Sarzynski said. “To make sure it’s known as educational and can be used in the real world. It’s actually engineering, not shop. Everything went [according] to plan, other than the shake light not working.”
After the tour of the workshop, Peters tried manning the controls of the “Maple Machine,” the team’s main robot, and cracked a smile as Robotics advisor Bernie Simms taught him how to use it.
“I am very impressed,” Peters said. “The students seemed very aware of what they are doing and the program itself is impressive. The future in the fields is vital for the country.”
In December of 2009, the robotics team got $8,000 of grants from Parametric Technology Corporations and AVL North American to participate in statewide competitions. With this money, they produced the robot that they presented to Peters.
“I’d like to make attending a Seaholm robotics happen, I’ll see if we can make it,” said Peters in response to Simms offer.
Guests such as Superintendent David Larson, Birmingham Public School officials, and members of the congressman’s staff were in attendance to further their knowledge of the program.
“He is paying a visit to families and constituents.” Larson said. “It is important for him to see the public schools and where the funding is going towards.”
The only person who spoke more to Peters than Sarzynski was Simms, who enjoyed the time spent with Peters.
“We are more than just a shop class and program,” Simms said. “We design and fabricate, I am glad he could see how far the program has come and how it is important to the school.”
After receiving a hooded Seaholm Robotics sweatshirt, Peters and the rest of the guests moved into the alternative energy lab to continue their discussion of the program, after which Peters gave his final congratulations to the program and its students.
“I wanted to see a class where it would be useful to up-and-coming industries,” Peters said. “The students and the director really surprised me today.”
The class then continued with a normal day of robotics after the visit, beginning to fix their robot.
“I personally am very proud we are getting recognition,” senior Brian Paul said. “I’m glad that people … like Congressman Peters are coming to Seaholm. Quite frankly, it shows that robotics is a field of excellence.”
