Organization

To maximize the potential of every team member’s success, Jaguar Robotics is broken down into five departments, each with its own purpose. This separation encourages flexible collaboration between department members, simulating a workforce environment while serving as an efficient method of task management for the team as a whole. Each department puts emphasis on skills that are essential for prospective job opportunities related to engineering (mechanical and electrical), precision machining, management, marketing, and programming. These divisions are as follows:

Departments

Each department is student-led and operates within itself but also communicates with other departments for overlapping tasks and cohesive resolution.

The Design Department brainstorms, researches, and creates the part drawings of our robots using 3D modeling software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD. The completed models are then tested and adjusted accordingly and are used to create our bots.

The Machining Department is responsible for cutting and drilling materials and parts used on the robot. Some cuts require precision up to a thousandth of an inch. Some in-house machinery we have available includes CNCs (Computer Numerical Control), milling machines, and manual lathes.

The Electrical Department constructs the inner workings of each robot and programs (when applicable) the internal components necessary for overall functionality. As Fort Zumwalt West High School does not have a curriculum course detailing the development of electrical harnesses, team members learn about electrical work from our department head and mentors. This department manages the ordering of parts, electrical design, and the building and maintaining of the bots’ electrical systems.

The Documentation Department writes and officializes the content of all records within the team. Jaguar Robotics competes in a league that requires specific documentation regarding all aspects of the team’s production. These reports are formatted to fit the desired structure and must be entered by a given deadline in order to qualify for competition. This includes areas of process (detailing the robots’ assemblies, part designs, and component inventory), shop conduct (recording meeting details, timelines, and member-specific logged hours), as well as an overview of competitive strategy.

The Communications Department serves as the team’s contact for all sponsorship agreements, including fundraisers, materials, mentorships, and additional resources. They cooperate with FZW Jaguar Robotics Boosters Club to finance the team’s transportation to out-of-state competitions. Communications manages social media accounts that post information regarding the team and upcoming events (fundraiser dates, competition highlight clips, and other promotional information). These platforms can be found in the contact menu at the bottom of any page on the website.

Our Robots

The Palminator (2017-2018) **

– First bot
– Two-wheel drive
– Box shaped
– Vertical drum spinner
Rewards/Placement:
1st BotsSTL 2018 Documentation

Dino MKI (2023-2024)

– Single-side weapon
– Innovated armor consisting of aluminum, titanium and TPU
Rewards/Placement:
1st BotsKC Competition
BotsKC Grand Champion

Supernova MKII (2023-2024)

– Titanium outer frame
– Innovative hinged wedges
– Thinner, concise weapon
Rewards/Placement:
5th BotsKC Regionals

Blitz MKIII (2023-2024) **

– Titanium fixed wedges
– Magnets
– TPU armor
– Modified weapon mount
– Optimized electrical containment
Rewards/Placement:
7th BotsKC Regionals
1st Documentation BotsKC Regionals

Supernova MKI (2022-2023)

– Complete redesign
– Four-wheel drive
– Swivel wedges
Rewards/Placement:
29th NRL Nationals
5th BotsKC Regionals
2nd Documentation NRL Nationals
1st Documentation BotsKC Regionals
1st CA-2 MO T.E.A.M. State Competition

Blitz MKII (2022-2023) **

– Condensed frame
– Internal modifications
– Side plate redesign
Rewards/Placement:
1st BotsKC
Grand Champion BotsKC
7th NRL National Championships

Best Engineering Documentation Award

Sabertooth MKIII (2022-2023) **

– Two-wheel drive
– Condensed frame
– New weapon design
Rewards/Placement:
2nd BotsKC
30th NRL National Championships

Blitz MKI (2021-2022) **

– Redesign from Sabertooth
– Internal wheels
– Brushless internals
– Toothed weapon
Rewards/Placement:
1st BotsKC
Grand Champion BotsKC
10th NRL National Championships

Sabertooth MKII (2021-2022) **

– Toothless weapon
– Two-wheel drive
– Side plate redesign
Rewards/Placement:
2nd BotsKC
32nd NRL National Championships

Sabertooth MKI (2020-2021) **

– Redesign from Shogun
– Two wheel drive
– Box shaped
– Eggbeater weapon
– Steeper wedges
Rewards/Placement:
7th BotsKC Regional Competition

Shogun (2018-2019) **


Rewards/Placement:
N/A

** Indicates that the bot is currently retired from competitions.

Team Coach

Steven Fink
Teacher/Team Coach

The Board

Austin Muchnick-Behrens
Head of Communications, Blitz
Diego Edwards
Head of Documnetation, Dino
Drew Wachsnicht
Co-Head of Electrical, Dino
Lucas Marlett
Head of Machining, Dino
Parker Joern
Head of Design, Supernova
Mason Manion
Co-Head of Electrical, Supernova
Molly Walsh
Graphic Design Head, Blitz

DINO

Ainara Sayuri Noriega Valenzuela
Communications
Ayden Hamblin
Electrical
Benjamin Mettendorf
Graphic Design
James Alexander
Machining
Kyle Davis
Design
Zach Mannon
Design

SUPERNOVA

Jaden Burns
Management
Jaineel Patel
Machining
Kat Kaiser
Electrical

BLITZ

Abby Jones
Machining
Benjamin Jaggi
Machining
Connor Meske
Machining
Evan Schmidtberger
Electrical
Garrett Ray
Electrical
Madison Jeanis
Graphic Design
Moss Dollens
Communication
Sean Anirudh Sathish
Design

Team Coach

Bill Fitzpatrick
Industrial Technology Teacher/Team Coach

Chief Executive Officer

Andy Merkel
Chief Executive Officer

The Board

Ben Jaggi
Head of Manufacturing
Drew Wachsnicht
Head of Electrical
Diego Edwards
Head of Communications
Mason Manion
Lead Website Developer, Electrical/communications Department
Parker Joern
Head of Design
Tyler Zychalski
Head of Machining

Team Captains

Andy Merkel
Supernova Team Leader
Lucas Marlett
Blitz Team Leader, Manufacturing Department
Molly Walsh
Sabertooth Team Co-Captain, Electrical Department
Zach Mannon
Sabertooth Team Co-Captain, Manufacturing Department

Supernova

Andy Merkel
Chief Executive Officer, Supernova Team Captain
Diego Edwards
Head of Communications
Ben Jaggi
Head of Manufacturing
Parker Joern
Head of Design
Mason Manion
Lead Website Developer, Electrical/Communications Department
Grant Mroczkowski
Machining Department
Lauren Mudd
Electrical Department
Drew Wachsnicht
Head of Electrical
Tyler Zychalski
Head of Machining

Blitz

Lucas Marlett
Blitz Team Captain, Manufacuting Department
Kat Kaiser
Electrical Department
Chase Mueller
Communications Department
Jaineel Patel
Design Department
Garrett Ray
Electrical Department
Juan Valencia-Tun
Electrical Department
Sashank Yerapotina
Communications Department

Sabertooth

Zach Mannon
Sabertooth Team Co-Captain, Manufacturing Department
Molly Walsh
Sabertooth Team Co-Captain, Electrical Department
Moss Dollens
Electrical Department
Austin Muchnick
Communications Department
Owen Murray
Design Department
Ainara Noriega Valenzuela
Communications Department
Saketh Subramanian
Website Developer, Electrical Department
Preston Smith

Team Coach

Bill Fitzpatrick
Industrial Technology Teacher/Team Coach

Mentors

Mike Moore
Industry Mentor, Electrical

Not Pictured:

Rosita Edwards, Agile Mentor

Josh Mroczkowski, Agile Mentor

Heather Mudd, Documentation Mentor

Elizabeth Merkel, Marketing Mentor

The Board

Gabe Maher
Co-CEO, Head of Machining, Blitz Team Captain
Andy Merkel
Co-CEO, Head of Electrical
Ben Jaggi
Sabertooth Team Captain
Diego Edwards
CAO, Head of Management
Mason Manion
Head of Marketing, Lead Website Developer
Parker Joern
Head of Design

Design

Tyler Zychalski
Assistant Head of Design
Jaineel Patel
Design Department

Electrical

Drew Wachsnicht
Blitz Driver
Juan Valencia-Tun
Sabertooth Driver
Lauren Mudd
Electrical Department
Garrett Ray
Electrical Department
Chase Mueller
Electrical Department
Sashank Yerapotina
Electrical Department

Machining

Grant Mroczkowski
Assistant Machinist
Lucas Marlett
Assistant Machinist

Marketing

Aakash Sase
Website Developer
Luke Schmidtberger
Website Developer