Spartatroniks, Orcutt Academy’s robotics team, raised about $15,000 in gross profit at its third annual dinner auction held recently at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.

At the event, the robotics team displayed some of its work, including an electrical board and a showcase of previous robots, alongside poster boards discussing each sub-team.

Spartatroniks had its 2023 robots Atlas and Thanatos perform, and displayed robots made over the last 11 years by the team.

“I loved being able to see what the kids were able to build,” said one member of the audience.

“I couldn’t imagine what these kids were building, so I was really shocked when I saw what the robot was able to perform,” a parent remarked.

“It really is an amazing opportunity for these kids,” said Nathan Wonderlich, a Spartatroniks business mentor. “This event is what allows the students to be able to build these amazing robots.”

Offering a key STEM opportunity for high schoolers in the Santa Maria and Orcutt area, Spartatroniks is desiged to create opportunities for aspiring engineers and other STEM majors to acquire unique skills.

Spartatroniks strives to ensure its students get hands-on STEM and business experience through the student-lead team.

Each year the 501(c)(3) nonprofit team builds a robot and competes in FIRST robotics events to teach them business and STEM skills as well as teamwork and responsibility.

For more about the robotics team, email business3512@gmail.com or visit
www.spartatroniks.com.