Robotics rookies move up in competition

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - The rookie robotics team at San Marcos High School outperformed dozens of veteran teams from other schools this year.

The Rattlers Robotics Team were able to create a robot capable of collecting balls, cans and ballons, as well as maneuvering in a 10-by-10-foot area to retrieve a scaled-down model of an 18-wheeler tanker. They head to state competition in Dallas on Friday.

The Rattlers Robotics team was formed in August has part of an effort to encourage more interest in science, and its membership has steadily grown. In late October, the Rattlers competed against 25 other schools, and finished fifth, qualifying them for state finals. Science teacher Brad Walker is justifiably proud of his team.

"Considering we were up against schools with veteran teams that have done this for several years, this was quite an accomplishment," said Walker.

The Rattlers' robot has been disassembled in recent weeks for some fine tuning.

"I'm a little nervous," said Walker in response to the disassembling. But, Walker said the students have rebuilt the robot piece-by-piece already and think they are ready for the next level of competition.