Owatonna goes full STEM ahead
The Byron, Northfield and Owatonna Rebel Alliance robotics teams pose for a photo outside of the SCFF grandstands. The three teams combined for a STEM Day to introduce local youth to the fun in robotics. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna’s Rebel Alliance robotics team partnered up with Byron and Northfield’s programs for the first-ever STEM Days program on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Steele County Free Fair.
The Owatonna Rebel Alliance set up underneath the grandstand and allowed visitors to check out their multiple robots and gadgets on display with students giving interested spectators a glimpse into the world of robotics.
“We approached the fair asking if we could put together a STEM Day. They offered us this space on Tuesday to do our thing, and we’re hopeful that we can make this a regular thing year after year,” said Owatonna Rebel Alliance head coach Nathele Beadell.
The event showcased robots and other electronic equipment and gadgets produced and used by the Owatonna Rebel Alliance program from the high school’s varsity team all the way into their junior programs at the middle and elementary schools.
According to Beadell, STEM Days are important tools for the program to reach the community and have sparked a lot of interest in students joining the Rebel Alliance program.
“In the last three years, we started with just the high school team with 22 kids. We now average about 30-40 kids in our high school teams. However, we now also have four [FIRST LEGO League] teams, which are elementary school teams. We also now have up to six teams for [FIRST Tech Challenge], which is middle school and high school for communities outside of Owatonna that do not have robotics programs,” said Beadell.
According to her, the STEM Days event brought in a host of younger fairgoers who will hopefully join on with the programs in the future.
The highlight of the event included being able to operate the Rebel Alliances’ robot from last season which was capable of picking up and launching multiple balls into a target from distance.
The Rebel Alliance also had virtual reality equipment available on site and other robots capable of navigating obstacle courses and completing other small tasks.
“We love doing these events. We’re at Downtown Thursdays and other events. We just love showing up. It’s fun having people come in to drive the robots, but the best part is the community connection. Yes, we compete, but our main focus is bringing the community together. This is where our kids shine, when they get to go out and talk and be proud of what they’ve accomplished,” said Beadell.