By Mary M. Whitney
Photo Courtesy Isaac Mayo
Two dedicated River City Early College (RCEC) students, Robert Peterson and Isaac Mayo, are paving the way to success by following their passion and showcasing their talent in robotics. As members of the team Trial and Error, they're on a mission to compete at the state level, representing their school with pride and determination.
Stationed at the Vicksburg Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) and mentored by parents of current and past team members, Trial and Error is poised for greatness. The team operates with three distinct roles: journalists, programmers, and builders.
Journalists manage the team's media presence and help design its image.
Builders bring the robot to life using 3D printing and laser cutting, transforming scrap materials into a fully functioning, competition-ready machine. Robert, a builder, describes the process as “clobbering things together and hoping they work—AKA Five Minute Crafts.”
Programmers are the brains behind the operation. Isaac, a programmer, handles the intricate coding needed to make the robot move. Every action of the robot is carefully planned and executed from the programmers’ minds, setting the team up for success. Isaac shares, “If your robot isn’t broken by the end of the competition, you weren’t driving it well enough.”
In their most recent competition, the Trial and Error team triumphed over their opponents, earning their spot at the upcoming state competition on February 21-22 in Oxford, MS. This victory was a result of hard work, teamwork, and resilience as the team navigated various challenges. Robert reflects, “Our team lives up to its name—it takes a lot of trial and error to progress.”
The team turned their struggles into triumphs, and RCEC is incredibly proud of its Cougars. Thank you, Isaac Mayo and Robert Peterson, for being shining examples of passion, talent, and perseverance. On behalf of RCEC, we wish you both the best of luck as you head to the state competition!