The School’s two robotics teams advanced to the semi-finals at last week’s VEX Southern New England Robotics Competition in Framingham, marking a historic season.

The team is all about creativity, collaboration, and innovation, through the direct input of each team member.

Through dedication and teamwork, students are excelling in competitions. As the season comes to an end, the team is excited about the challenges awaiting them. 

Each year, VEX introduces challenges teams across the region to create a unique robot, able to maneuver over obstacles, handle objects, and compete directly against other teams’ robots in skill-based challenges.

Each robot must also pass an inspection and participate in judged events where aspects such as design and programming are evaluated.

From brainstorming and programming, students are actively involved in every aspect of producing the team’s robots.

The program caters every level of skill, from newcomer to seasoned designer.

Students choose between block coding, C++, or Python to understand technical skills for robot programming, as well as other skills like problem-solving, communication, and most importantly, teamwork. 

With these operations in plan, the team divides its season into three phases.

In the fall, the captain and returning members introduce newcomers to robotics, where brainstorming, building, and programming occur.

In the winter, the teams tune the robots and engages in various competitions.

Finally, the teams participates in state, regional, and national championships each spring.

This year, with two teams within the robotics program–Mayday and Mayhem–students have been making incredible progress.

The team achieved new team highlights and showcased their expertise in the subject. These accomplishments highlighted their drastic improvement from the first competition of the year to their second competition.

The Mayday team reached the semifinals in the Regional competition, while the Mayhem team reached the quarterfinals. 

Aryaa Mutha ‘26 is the captain of both Robotics teams.

Looking back on her role, Mutha said, “I help organize everything, make sure we’re ready for competitions, and work with the team on designing and improving our robot.” 

Competitions are an exciting experience for the two teams.

Matches involve alliances with other teams and rigorous inspections to meet the standards of the VFX competition.

The competition can start as early as 6:00 a.m. and stretch into the evening if the team qualifies for the later rounds. Yet, the team building and excitement make it all worthwhile.

When it comes to team recruitment, the Brimmer robotics program is constantly expanding to more people. 

Eli Smith ’28, a new member of the Robotics team this year, talks about the team’s wish for further expansion.

“We need as many new people as possible to join Brimmer and May Robotics,” Smith said. “There’s not a lot of people doing it, and the issue is that the club does not get much recognition.”

Smith is encouraging anyone who is interested in joining the robotics club to do so as they currently don’t have a copious amount of members.

This community fosters the chances to discover new opportunities and learn valuable skills while experiencing the thrill of competing for the robotics team. 

As the season progresses forward, the team is excited to look ahead.

Mutha, along with teammates Nikka Souza ‘26, Steven Xia ’25, Eli Smith ‘28, Josef Porteleki ‘26, Adi Houndegla ’26, Marlon Kasse ’26, Maxim Audoly ’26, and Isaiah Lee ’26, are oriented on refining their robots and making them better than before for greater success.