When the phrase "robot" comes to mind, one most likely things of three things: doing the robot dance move, the song "Mr. Roboto" by the band Styx, or simply a robot. Mitty's Robotics Team has a new member of the team this time around and his name is Mark III. Although the team has worked hard for six weeks to primp up his looks and special features for the big day (and he glows with care and love), he is simply a mechanical robot that comes to life.

Since January 7, the many students on the Robotics Team have been working after school every day, and all day every Saturday, to design and build Mark III, who will be put to the test on March 17 and 18 at the competition, called FIRST Robotics, located at the San Jose State Event Center. the motto of FIRST Robotics, a non-profit program founded y Dean Kamen designed to make science and technology a more valued part of today's society and education, is "Gracious Profressionalism."

Team member Stephanie Schmit comments on the true meaning of this ideal, "We are 'gracious' in that everyone helps each other out and in competition; if another team's robot breaks, other teams are there to help out." Seeding matches begin at 9:30 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday, and the finals will be held from 1-3pm on Saturday the 18. The name of the event this year is "Aim High", in which the robot will compete in a basketball-like competition wherein it picks up balls from the ground and shoots them into either a high or low-value goal.

Mitty is constantly recognized for a variety of achievements in the area of the performing arts, sports teams, clubs, and education. And now, Mitty can be proud to flaunt its showcased and progressive Robotics Team. This year's graduating member, senior John Sphar, says, "The robotics team produced a brilliant and efficient design for this year's competition. Due to our club's newly founded hierarchy, we are able to transform a tough problem into an advantage over other teams."

Mr. Fairley, the moderator of Mitty's Robotics Club, encourages students with all types of experience to get involved in the developing team. As Mr. Fairley states, "No one is expected to have experience coming in, and everyone gains valuable experience before they go out.