The Work of Our Hands

Written by Kevin Ringuette, Mathematics & Science Faculty

The formation of Pacifica’s Robotics Team came about as a natural next step to a school pursuing living well in a technological age.

Pacifica has been and continues to be a place for young people to pursue vocation and excellence across the liberal arts. Robotics invites students to innovate, wrestle with complex challenges, and explore their curiosity. There was an outpouring of interest in Pacifica’s newest academic team. Our meetings were filled with students sharing a kindred spirit and a glow in their eyes. This passionate and committed group wove itself into the fabric of Pacifica seemingly overnight. The team’s arbitrary team number, 50157P, was known around campus within months of its conception. Robotics was at home within Pacifica’s walls.

The inaugural team brought together 12 students from all grade levels to compete at VEX V5 Robotics—the largest high school robotics competition in the world. The competition attracts teams from over 50 countries and hosts over 1,700 competitions worldwide annually. We were told that simply building a functioning robot and appearing in a singular competition would be deemed an amazing season. At the end of our season— we completed 2 competitions, won 5 matches, and reached the quarterfinals of our first competition—surpassing all expectations.

Across all spaces at Pacifica, our students are invited into discussion, and Robotics is no different. In a world of emerging technologies leaping from breakthrough to breakthrough, asking good questions is more important than ever. When examining the purpose
of this work—how does it contribute goodness to our world? As technology extends our reach—are we reaching in the right direction? As our human capabilities grow exponentially—how can we examine our work more critically? And after a long day of competition, under the trees of McBride High School in Long Beach, we did just that. The Pacifica Robotics Team did a distinctly Pacifica thing. We asked, “Why are we here today?”

As the team reflected, we invited each other deeper in and further out than the walls of our high school. We were made to work, in a way that meaningfully contributes to that which is for the utmost good. We believe that technology can serve those around us, and pursue it unto this end. We desire to see all matters of created things be subdued with wisdom and responsibility to bring about human flourishing. As a team, we aim to keep a perspective of the greater good and commit to spur each other on with courage and conviction. This is our response. This is our ultimate goal. This is where we start building from, to Christ and His Kingdom come.