Since its founding in 2001, Team 696 of Clark Magnet High has aimed to create the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. through local community outreach and participation in the international FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Each year, our team has only six weeks to design, manufacture, and program a fully-functional robot for that year’s FRC game. Our rationale is that through a method of guided discovery, each student can refine his or her skills in a specific sub-group of the team, developing practical applications of STEM concepts outside the ordinary classroom environment.

Team 696 also takes pride in giving back to the community. Throughout the year, our students become mentors themselves, coaching several Lego robotics teams throughout our district. Ultimately, the knowledge and experience gained through the team is more important than any competition. Any student who joins FIRST Robotics Team 696, regardless of his or her skill sets, will leave with an enlightened perspective on teamwork, engineering, and countless other disciplines. Throughout their FIRST Robotics experience, members of Team 696 become scientists, engineers, managers, and friends.