At the 2026 Science, Engineering, Communication, Mathematics and Enrichment Olympiad on Feb. 7, students focused on applying classroom concepts to robots and coding. Middle school and high school students from across Florida competed at the district level through robotics, coding, research and creative problem-solving. With the help of Coral Gables Senior High School science teacher and SECME sponsor Auralis Jimenez, both teams prepared for the event.
The SECME program supports students interested in science and engineering. At the beginning of every year, schools gather to showcase original designs and present STEM projects. In SECME, a team requires four people and the Gables team was missing a member. A fourth teammate, Felix Parra, stepped in at the last minute to complete the group and once the team was officially formed, preparation for the competition could begin.
“In elementary school, I was part of the robotics team due to my fascination with science. I felt as if science was the only thing keeping me in line in class… my face would light up when the teacher said we had a lab or an experiment. Being part of a team that shares the same love of STEM has changed my mentality, creating an environment in which I can thrive,” freshman Felix Parra said.
Beyond the engineering process, SECME requires teams to meet expectations regarding uniform and appearance, where the team came up with their own modern design. Participants must follow specific guidelines during competition as they spend hours together building and planning, to finally present their finished STEM product.
The first project for the team was the Mousetrap Car. The vehicle operates by connecting a string from the mousetrap’s snapping arm to the axle. It is powered by converting potential energy into kinetic energy as the string unwinds, turning the makeshift wheels. Competition in the olympiad trials measure the distance the car travels using the restricted materials.
The second competition was the robotic hand project, focusing on engineering design, mimicking actual human hand movement. The trials include daily life mobility challenges, such as picking up a plastic water bottle or a red cup. This competition is modeled to teach students about the applications of STEM in the biomedical world.
“I’ve known most of my teammates for over three years and every time we enter a science competition, they surprise me a little more. We work hard to collaborate effectively and overcome any challenges life throws our way, that’s why my team and I work well together… we all want what is best for the team,” sophomore Nicolas Theye said.
Shortly after forming, the groups attended seminars at the University of Miami to review the expectations and requirements for the SECME season. In early November, both teams began brainstorming and constructing prototypes. From that point, the goal was to improve the designs through testing, experimentation and redesign.
Early challenges revealed that heavier cars tended to travel shorter distances, which conflicted with the competition’s objective of maximizing distance. The teams experimented with different prototypes while also adjusting various variables, including the design of the robotic hand, types of string and friction reduction.
“Coming from a country where I couldn’t practice my passion, I was years behind on my studies but now I can build mousetrap cars with ease and have resources I didn’t have before. Not only that, but I met a group of students who share a strength in science with whom I can effectively communicate,” freshman Fidel Toiraccantillo said.
Throughout the engineering process, every stage was recorded in an engineering notebook. Documenting each unsuccessful prototype, the variables that were tested, the results of each trial run and the reasoning behind each improvement, the engineering notebook serves as documentation of the team’s engineering process.
After multiple rounds of testing, a final prototype emerged. When tested, the results showed that new versions demonstrated that the design improvements were effective and placed the teams in strong positions heading into the competition. For several weeks, students worked after school refining documents and ensuring the engineering notebook was complete. During the first trial runs at the competition, the design failed to perform as expected, but following trials delivered a stronger performance.
“I have never been involved in a science club or robotics, but this year, when my friends told me to join, I did. It became an opportunity to branch out and explore a new field in which I can socialize and have a presence, especially when my friends are my teammates,” freshman Julio Ramos said.
The judges evaluated the robotic hand, mousetrap cars and engineering notebooks. The mousetrap car team won first place overall and the robotic hand team won second place overall. Following the awards ceremony, both teams celebrated together and reflected on the experience. As this year’s 2026 SECME club comes to an end, the 2027 season awaits with open arms for young, open-minded students who enjoy STEM fields.
