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Viera Hawk Robotics Team Supports Brevard’s First-Responders and Frontline Healthcare Workers

By  //  May 3, 2020

The Viera Hawk Robotics team, Wingspan #7431, currently has 34 members

WATCH: The Viera Hawk Robotics team, Wingspan #7431, currently has 34 members and their Vision Statement says it best: “To inspire, motivate, support and cultivate the next generation of STEM and business leaders, innovators, thinkers, and tinkers through an engaging robotics program.”

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – High School students working together to achieve a common goal. No, it is not a football team, a basketball team, or a softball team – it is not even a sports team – it is the Viera Hawk Robotics team.

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Their team’s Vision Statement says it best: “To inspire, motivate, support and cultivate the next generation of STEM and business leaders, innovators, thinkers, and tinkers through an engaging robotics program.”

The Viera Hawk Robotics team, Wingspan #7431, currently has 34 members.

When COVID-19 basically shut down school activities for the remainder of the school year, it did not deter members of the team. During their weekly Zoom meetings, instructor Dave Formanek, threw out a few suggestions as to how they could help their community.

One of the ideas, that of making much-needed masks, was the direction the team initially chose to focus their efforts.

Quite a few masks have already been made by the Robotics team members. In fact, two team members have already produced over 50 masks.

One batch was delivered recently to the local fire station for first responders use. This is just one example of what Wingspan #7431 is all about.

One of the ideas, that of making much-needed masks, was the direction the team initially chose to focus their efforts. Quite a few masks have already been made by the Robotics team members. In fact, two team members have already produced over 50 masks. (Viera High Robotics Team image)

“I’m confident that as the days and weeks progress, the team will support our community’s first-responders and frontline health care workers in other ways,” said Formanek.

Things won’t slow down for the Robotics team when school ends in May. In fact, they have a pretty busy summer schedule.

According to Formanek, team members will focus on fundraisers, outreach events that follow social distancing guidelines, team operations and learning/developing basic and advanced skills in mechanics, electrical systems, programming/coding, CAD design, and more.

They are also looking forward to hosting the Space Coast Showdown, on September 26, which brings in Robotics teams from all over the state of Florida.

Another project the team is focusing on is to expand and strengthen robotics programs in the area schools. Substantial headway has already been made, and more will certainly follow.

“The group was so welcoming,” said Alyssa Blood. “It was amazing to walk in as a freshman and be treated like family.”

Working with robots, competing, teamwork, having fun, giving back to the community sounds like an organization destined to be one of the best. It already is, and for Wingspan #7431, the sky is the limit.

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Another project the team is focusing on is to expand and strengthen robotics programs in the area schools. Substantial headway has already been made, and more will certainly follow. (Viera High Robotics Team image)
Working with robots, competing, teamwork, having fun, giving back to the community sounds like an organization destined to be one of the best. It already is, and for Wingspan #7431, the sky is the limit. (Viera High Robotics Team image)
Things won’t slow down for the Robotics team when school ends in May. In fact, they have a pretty busy summer schedule. (Viera High Robotics Team image)

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