Late in the evening on the third floor of Moffat County High School, the whir of motors and clatter of metal can be heard coming from the robotics lab as creativity, teamwork and determination combine one bolt and one keystroke at a time.

For the members of MoCo Robo, the school’s competitive robotics team, this year marks both a celebration and a turning point.

The small and dedicated team recently wrapped up another successful season that showcased the talent of its senior class while also sparking hope for the future. Led by coach Kristen Nichols, the group has spent years building robots in addition to confidence, camaraderie and a culture of getting through hard things together as a team.

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Learning through building

For senior Gage Smith, who has been with the team since his freshman year at MCHS, the process of designing and testing new robots has always brought rewards within the challenges.

“You’ll have an idea of what you want to do, and then when you’re building it, you’ll realize it doesn’t really work,” he said with a laugh. “But one thing we’ve learned is to take from our losses. We see what works, what doesn’t and we move forward from there together.”

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Each year, the team receives the annual game in January and has just six weeks to design, build and program a robot to meet the competition’s objectives. Their most recent machine features a two-stage elevator system that can lift and maneuver game pieces with precision, all of which came together with many trials along with teamwork and revisions.

Senior Trevor Odell said those lessons have carried over beyond the lab.

“You learn all the tools and what they’re good for, but a lot of the most important skills are the social ones,” he said. “Working under pressure, meeting deadlines, staying focused when things get hectic. Those are all skills that help you in life.”

A coach with a vision

Nichols, a career banker and credit analyst, joined MoCo Robo when her son became part of the inaugural team in 2019. Soon after, curiosity became a passion, and she dedicated herself to helping the team however she could.

“When I attended the regional competition in Denver and saw MoCo Robo on the playing field with teams from around the country, I was hooked,” she said.

By 2022, Nichols became head coach, partnering with mentors Jeremy Boatman and Wayne Stene. Together, they worked to create an environment where students learn real-world skills that blend engineering, fabrication, computer science and business management.

“There aren’t any lesson plans or grade books,” Nichols said. “Everyone’s actions can greatly impact the robot’s performance on the field, and that responsibility is profound.”

Nichols said the robotic program is important to the district because it offers a space for students who may not feel at home in traditional sports.

“Some kids aren’t built for football or basketball, but they can build something incredible,” she said. “Robotics is where they find their team.”

Teamwork and lessons that last

For Smith, those team bonds became as valuable as the technical skills.

“It’s really amazing to think of ideas, talk to my friends about them, and then have it come to life,” he said. “We actually built something together besides a friendship.”

Odell agreed, adding that competitions create both pressure and pride.

“It gets really fast-paced,” he said. “You’ve got to make quick repairs, swap batteries and figure out a strategy. It’s not for the weak, but it’s definitely one of the best ways to learn.”

For some students, the competitions also exposed them to big names in technology.

“There were so many teams sponsored by companies like NASA, Lockheed Martin and Boeing,” said Bishop Hadley, another senior on the team. “It was just crazy to see what creative people can do with that sort of budget in high school.”

Senior Aubry Downs joined the team because she was drawn to the creative challenge at the competitions.

“They just give you this broad idea, and then you and your team have to sit down and create a robot from scratch,” she said. “That’s what made me love it.”

For all of them, the program has evolved into more than an extracurricular — it’s become a launch pad for their future goals and dreams, as Odell plans to pursue cybersecurity and Smith is exploring engineering. Downs hopes to join the Navy’s robotics program through ROTC.

A family of mentors

Nichols credits her mentor team with helping the students thrive. Boatman, a senior control systems engineer, and Stene, an electronics specialist, provide hands-on industry knowledge that guides the design process. Together, the three coaches have shaped a community-based approach to turning MoCo Robo into a respected competitor.

One of Nichols’ proudest moments came in 2022, when the team earned a place at the World Championships in Houston.

“When the announcer called MoCo Robo’s name, you would have thought we had won the Super Bowl,” she said. “That’s the kind of celebration I want for every single one of our kids.”

Since then, the team has continued to grow in skill and confidence, even as its numbers remain small. This year’s roster included just nine members, with five preparing to graduate.

Passing the torch

As graduation nears, the seniors hope their legacy will inspire those who follow.

“I hope we’re leaving the team in a good position to keep growing,” Odell said. “It’s a little worrisome seeing only three non-senior members, but we’ve come so far, and I know they’ll keep building on it.”

Junior Indy Mayer echoed that sentiment in saying “The seniors have shown me teamwork and how important it is in everything.”

“They’ve taught me that sharing knowledge and skills makes the team closer and allows for collaboration and creative problem-solving,” he said.

Nichols said that recruiting new members for next year is a top priority, as she hopes to build stronger ties with teachers and increase community awareness about the district’s growing STEM programs.

“We have a strong pipeline from elementary through high school,” she said. “We just need to keep that momentum going.”

Building more than robots

For Nichols, the heart of MoCo Robo lies in what it gives back to the students.

“There was a huge banner at the World Championships that said, ‘We are not using kids to build robots, we are using robots to build kids,'” she recalled. “That motto really stuck with me.”

As the seniors prepare to take their next steps, Nichols hopes they carry that same sense of purpose into whatever comes next.

“I want them to go out into the world, learn, explore and then bring that knowledge back home to Craig,” she said. “That’s how we build not just robots, but our community’s future.”