Resolution Copper’s Funding of Globe High School Robotics Lab Prepares Students for Competitive Careers

In the small town of Globe, Arizona, with a population of just over 7,000 people, big ideas for the future are brewing among high school students. Thanks to funding from Resolution Copper, Globe High School’s robotics lab is helping them gain hands-on expertise in STEM, developing technical proficiency with tools, sensors, and critical soft skills, such as teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving, preparing them for future technology-driven careers.

Building a Tech-Driven Future in Arizona’s Copper Corridor

Located some 90 miles east of Phoenix, this rural town is part of the Copper Corridor. In the past, young people from rural mining towns typically would work for the mine after finishing high school. Now, several robotics lab students have applied to colleges, such as Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus in Mesa. They may return to Globe to work in the mine, or they may choose to leverage their engineering, automation, and robotics skills to work in a different industry.

Empowering Students with Industry-Standard Software

Ray Baker, a teacher at the high school, has been leading the robotics lab for three years. He said that without the funding from Resolution Copper, the ability to have a quality robotics lab would not exist.

“Last year alone, we received a $20,000 grant from Resolution Copper, which helped us purchase cutting-edge software and compete in several statewide competitions,” Mr. Baker said. “Since upgrading our software, the students have been thriving.”

Baker explained that the robotics lab uses SOLIDWORKS, a comprehensive 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software suite used in robotics to design, simulate, and program robotic systems. It enables engineers to create detailed 3D models, simulate motion and structural integrity, route electrical systems, and generate offline programs for industrial robots.

Competitions Help Them Innovate and Problem-Solve

Having the new software also opens opportunities for the students to attend statewide competitions, such as the recent Racing the Sun competition on April 25 in Tucson.

Coordinated by the nonprofit Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF), the event challenges high school students to design, build, and race electric and solar-powered go-karts.

This was the first year that Globe High School competed in the Racing the Sun competition. The students received a gas-powered go-kart and had to convert it so that they could race it as a solar-powered go-kart. They met after school and on some weekends over nine months, working an estimated 500 hours on the project.

Event organizers also provided opportunities for these young innovators to hone their skills leading up to the competition.

Hands-On Learning From Workshops to Career Days

“We participated in a Workshop Day at Pima College in Tucson, where students learned how to present the process needed to document the engineering notebook, draw the mechanical system, and how to draw the electrical system. There was also a course on what is expected of the driver,” Mr. Baker said.

During a Career Day in Phoenix, they visited Rosendin Electric and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU.

“The students had a blast,” he said. “They learned how to connect wires through conduit and wall boxes. They punched out holes and then attached the boxes to the conduit. At ASU, they learned what it takes to get into the School of Engineering and the extracurricular opportunities at the school.”

Overcoming Challenges to Win Rookie of the Year

In late March, they traveled to Tucson for the competition’s Test Day, which turned out to be an important chance to learn from mentors.

“We showed up to Test Day with our prototype mounting board and a go-kart that had everything in place, but it would not run. We worked with the mentors, and they were able to help us diagnose the problem. The students rearranged a couple of wires, and our motor was able to spin. We also had to change our prototype, replace the mount with aluminum, and rework a few other things,” Mr. Baker explained, adding that the students designed the mounting plate with SOLIDWORKS.

On Race Day, Globe High School finished fourth out of seven teams and won the “Rookie of the Year Award.” Mr. Baker said he is proud of them for working so hard throughout the year to participate in the Racing the Sun competition.

“The students enjoyed the competition, and we learned different skills than we do at our robotics competitions. During the season, there are many chances to iterate on the design of the go-kart, but you only have one chance to race. If your go-kart fails, well, you are out of luck. There was a lot more added pressure at that point,” he said.

The group is already looking forward to participating again next year.

“I think this competition gave the chance for the students to learn mechanical and electrical engineering in a way that robotics does not. But, with that said, the skills we developed are directly related to robotics even though the work was performed on a go-kart,” he said.

Mr. Baker said he and his class at Globe High School are also very grateful to Resolution Copper for funding the robotics program, which is preparing students to enter a competitive workforce.

“We cannot thank the folks at Resolution Copper enough for their support. Without their funding of our robotics program, there is no way we could offer the students a program of this quality,” he said.