Robotics
Program Philosophy
The Seattle Prep Robotics program focuses on teaching students the fundamental skills in teamwork, engineering, system design, programming and project management. Prep Robotics participates in VEX Robotics (https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5), the largest international robotics program. In teams of three or four, students design, build and program robots to meet and compete in each year’s unique challenge. The most recent game in 2023, “Spin Up,” required robots to be able to pick up and launch discs into elevated goals, similar to frisbee golf.
Robotics is an intensive year long program that takes places during Window period. It is open to all classes and no prior robotics experience is necessary. In their teams, students take on the role of mechanical engineer, software engineer, and/or program manager. Throughout the school year, students also compete in several all-day tournaments where they compete against other school and programs. The ultimate goal each year is to qualify for the State tournament in March and Worlds in May.
Let's Go!
Meet the Coaches
KC Cross
Mr. Cross has a passion for anything tech related that started in his early teens when he bought his first electronics kit from a Heathkit catalog. He started volunteering at Seattle Prep (when his eldest son attended) and went on to get certificated in VEX Robotics through a program at Carnegie Mellon University. He works as a Principal engineer designing infrastructure and building teams of engineers to solve interesting real world problems from Bioinformatics to Telecommunications. He has worked professionally with industry leaders implementing AI, ML, spatial measurement, IOT technology, and Drone programs. He brings a passion and enthusiasm for Engineering, Making and Tinkering. He tries to relate the students passions in and around robotics to actual industry skills. Helping them to see that there is a place for them to share their passion with the world now and in their future. Chat with Mr. Cross here.
Joe Zipperer
Mr. Zipperer has worked at several companies (from pre-revenue to Fortune 500) and has recruited, developed, and grown teams in different disciplines (product management, business development, software engineering, network engineering, hardware engineering). These teams developed products and services, such as medical devices, medical software, networking devices, network security, consumer electronics, scientific applications, content delivery, and cloud services. Mr. Zipperer has been granted 8 US patents and co-author of 4 scientific publications. Mr. Zipperer is a recognized mentor at all career levels (college interns through seasoned executives) because he invests in individual’s personal and professional development by igniting their curiosity, capability, and creativity. Mr. Zipperer enjoys coaching robotics where he can do the same. Mr. Zipperer volunteers Seattle Prep Robotics (assistance coach), Tau Beta Pi (District 14 director) and Boy Scouts of America (Troop 171 committee member). Chat with Mr. Zipperer here.
Kristina Kipp
Dr. Kipp teaches in the science department at Seattle Prep. She currently teaches five sections of AP Physics but has also taught General Physics and Honors Physics in the past. In addition to teaching and robotics, Dr. Kipp also moderates the school’s science club. Dr. Kipp’s background is in Aerospace Engineering, and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and a Master’s and PhD (also in Aerospace Engineering) from Georgia Tech. Prior to coming to Seattle Prep, Dr. Kipp worked on the Mars Perseverance Rover mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dr. Kipp is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Chat with Dr. Kipp here.