Way above average in robotics | Local News

“It’s amazing to think that a few short months ago, this didn’t exist,” said Sam Abdelnour, president of the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation. “I think there are only great things coming for this team.”

Construction on the 7,400-square-foot robotics center began after a ground-breaking ceremony this summer. The building is used primarily as a training facility for the district’s robotics program.

Among school officials, the center is considered to be a big step toward advancing science, technology, engineering, arts and math education within the district.

Superintendent Ann Cardon told the crowd that the district and SJPS Foundation had been actively seeking donations since the fall of 2017.

The center is adjacent to the high school’s Career Technical Center, which includes an access from Lakeview Avenue on the back side of the high school grounds.

Inside there is a multipurpose space that is used as a practice field. There is also a mezzanine, two computer rooms for the team’s design and marketing work as well as a kitchenette for the long nights of work after school.

In 2010, the St. Joseph robotics program began with about 20 participants. It has since grown to nearly 50 students as a powerhouse program. Students from second through 12th grade participate in the program each year. They are more prepared at the high school level now due to participation in the lower-level robotics programs. 

There were only a few Average Joes on hand Thursday, as the majority of students were preparing for the FIRST Robotics Competition that will run today through Sunday.

The high school has played host to the competition for the past six years. With other regional schools flocking to the school on the eve of the center’s grand opening, Cardon couldn’t hide her excitement.

“I believe it is the only innovation center connected to a building,” Cardon said Thursday. “We’ve already had a few schools ask to take a look at the innovation center.”

The Average Joes have progressed to the FIRST Robotics World Finals in each of the past four years. The St. Joseph team is one of several area schools that regularly advance to the World Finals.

On display inside the center on the wall closest to the practice field are five banners listing the school’s accomplishments in robotics.

The fundraising aspect of the project included robotics mentors and students telling their story in an effort to reach new investors. This included meeting with a group of local manufacturers that came together for the big pitch.

Senior Cameron Haynes was among the team’s advocates who made his pitch for the center.

Haynes said the center has made an immediate impact already, as they no longer have to build and tear down temporary barriers for training.

“I’m glad that we’ve got it and have been able to use it every day to get ready for the competition,” Haynes said. “Before this, we went into the cafeteria every day and cleared the tables away. Because there’s less artificial separation in here, there’s less actual separation between the team.”

Haynes said they hope to perform well to represent not only the school, but the new center.

Edward Todd – the project’s lead donor whose name now covers the entryway – was in attendance for the event.

A 1954 graduate, Todd was already a major benefactor for the district. He is responsible for six $5,000 scholarships given to students each year who choose to focus on business.

When he was approached by the SJPS Foundation for funding, Todd said he would either contribute $100,000 over 11 years, or $1.1 million in one year.

A year later, the $1.3 million innovation center has his name on it, with a commemorative plaque at the entryway.

“I think the building is just amazing,” Todd said to a round of applause. “It’s more than I could have imagined. The kids will put it to good use.”