Watch Bots High

Bots High is a 2010 documentary film that explores the world of high school robotics competitions through the lens of three Florida schools: the reigning state champion Pine View, the up-and-coming Tarpon Springs, and the underdog newcomer Middleton. The film opens with the Pine View robotics team, who have won the state championship two years in a row and are determined to defend their title. Led by team captain Will Bales, the students are passionate about building robots and putting them to the test in competition. Their rivals, the Tarpon Springs team, are equally driven to take the championship away from Pine View. Led by team captain Elizabeth Masson, they have the advantage of being in their own school district and receive more funding and resources from their school than the other teams.

The film also follows the Middleton team, a group of young students who have never competed in a robotics competition before. Danielle Cosio, the team's captain, is a senior who is determined to leave her mark on the school before graduation. Despite being under-resourced and inexperienced, the Middleton team is filled with enthusiasm and a drive to succeed.

Throughout the film, we see the dedication and hard work that goes into building a robot from scratch for competition. The teams must design, build, program, and test their robots, all while navigating the interpersonal dynamics of working on a team. As the competitions approach, the pressure mounts for all three teams, and we see the students’ nerves and excitement on full display.

One of the most appealing aspects of Bots High is the infectious enthusiasm of the young students. They are not merely building robots, but rather honing a set of skills that will serve them well in life. They learn to work collaboratively, to troubleshoot complex problems, to break down big projects into manageable ones, and to take risks and learn from failure. The film does an excellent job of showing how these skills are developed in a fun and creative way, and how the students take pride in their accomplishments.

The competitions themselves are thrilling to watch, with robots zipping around the arena, trying to score points by completing various challenges. The robots are sleek and impressive, with each team having worked tirelessly to create a machine that can navigate obstacles, pick up objects, and shoot accurately. The film does an excellent job of capturing the excitement of the competitions and the thrill of victory and defeat.

One of the most interesting aspects of Bots High is the way it shows the different approaches of the schools to robotics education. Pine View is a selective magnet school with a long-standing tradition of excellence in science and technology fields. As such, their robotics program is better funded and has more resources, including a dedicated lab and a full-time robotics teacher. Tarpon Springs, on the other hand, is a regular high school with a newer robotics program that is still finding its feet. They rely on community partnerships and grants to fund their program and have to work harder to recruit students. Finally, Middleton High School has very limited resources and no dedicated robotics teacher. Their team meets in a classroom after school, and they must scavenge for parts and supplies. Despite these challenges, they are determined to succeed, and their passion is infectious.

Overall, Bots High is a well-crafted and engaging documentary that showcases the best of high school robotics competitions. The film does an excellent job of profiling three different teams, each with their own unique strengths and challenges, while also highlighting the broader benefits of robotics education. It is an inspiring reminder of how young people can accomplish amazing things when given the resources and support they need to succeed.

Bots High is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 9.3.