What is Going on with AFS Roobotics?

AFS Roobotics will no longer be competing at tournaments this school year–here’s some clarity on why. There are several factors that have pushed this decision, and we’ve interviewed students as well as faculty to gain insight on the reasons why, and what people think. 

“We’re thinking about the financial structure of [Roobotics], we’re thinking about the staffing model for [Roobotics], but we’re also thinking about a succession plan,” said Upper School Director Brendon Jobs.

Jobs brings up one of the key sticking points of why Roobotics will not be competing: finances. Robotics is very expensive, with entry to tournaments being anywhere from $3000 to almost $7000, according to the FRC, who run the league AFS competes in. There are also additional expenses for travel to some tournaments, as well as the price to build and upkeep the robot.

“I think it’s sad to not to be able to compete,” said Timur Kryzhanovsky ‘26, one of the clerks of robotics. 

Kryzhanovsky also said, “I would have loved to compete… but also I understand where [the school is] coming from.” 

One of the big reasons of Roobotics not competing is that the team’s advisors, math teachers Mary Anne Wassel and Wayne Kurtz, stepped down from their positions. 

“Roobotics has an extended season,” said Jobs. “Imagine doing that type of intense practice, training, and competition for an extended amount of time, and managing a teaching load.”

“I didn’t expect [the coaches] to step down, but I knew it was kind of getting a little chaotic,” said Noah Schott ‘26. This is a sentiment echoed by many; there were some issues within the club. 

“It’s kind of hard, when you are a new person, to be taught what to do,” said Schott, who was a first year member last year. Schott’s experience being a new member reflects on how AFS plans to take a new approach for this year’s robotics team, centering their focus on skill building instead of competing. 

Kurtz, former advisor of the club, said, “They get the build experience…All the things a mechanical engineer would do, that is the experience they get.”

But what about the future of Roobotics? 

“We want a program that’s going to work, not year to year, but…a program that runs sustainably,” said Jobs. 

Hopes are high for a return to the normal operation. Kryzhanovsky said, “If [new people] join, there’s a high chance that next year or the year after that, they will actually be able to compete.”