Leanne Cushing is a formidable force in the thrilling world of BattleBots®, where engineering prowess meets mechanical mayhem. An innovator and strategic thinker, Leanne brings a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to the arena, captivating audiences with her ingenious robot designs and competitive spirit.
As a seasoned builder and driver, she navigates her bots with precision and agility, often outmaneuvering opponents in her sharp tactical acumen. Her passion for robotics and engineering shines through in every competition, making her not only a respected competitor, but also a role model for aspiring engineers and fans of mechanized sports worldwide.
Stick with us for Leanne’s five truths about how robotics education can empower young people to achieve extraordinary things in any field.
1. Stay curious in the name of innovation
An innovator and strategic thinker, Leanne brings a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to the arena, captivating audiences with her ingenious robot designs and competitive spirit. Leanne demonstrates that robotics inspires curiosity, allowing kids to explore engineering, coding, and design. She emphasizes the importance of questioning everything:
"When you're working on a robot, it’s about constantly asking questions. How does this part move? Why isn’t this sensor responding correctly? The curiosity to figure things out is what really pushes you forward in robotics."
At iD Tech, we empower kids to explore, experiment, and take risks. Nurture your child’s curiosity and power the future with:
Join a robotics club: many schools and communities offer FIRST Robotics, VEX Robotics, or BattleBots®-inspired robotics clubs and teams
Explore BattleBots® Camps or private lessons: as the exclusive education partner of BattleBots®, iD Tech is proud to offer in-person and online BattleBots® camps and programs you can’t find anywhere else
Explore robotics toys and kits: beginner-friendly kits like LEGO or Team Witch Doctor let kids experiment with building and coding at home
Attend a robotics competition: seeing the excitement firsthand at a robotics or STEM competition can inspire kids to dive into the world of robotics
Watch BattleBots®: there’s no substitute for the lights, camera, action of a full BattleBots® production, so tune in here to see what it’s all about
2. Be bold in tackling challenges
As a seasoned builder and driver, she navigates her bots with precision and agility, often outmaneuvering opponents in her sharp tactical acumen. Robotics is high-octane fun, but it’s also filled with setbacks, frustrations, and obstacles—just like real life. It’s in those moments of challenge that the real life lessons occur. Leanne’s experience on Team Valkyrie highlights the importance of resilience.
"A problem that really stumped our team was one we couldn’t figure out until we took a step back and took the time to take a holistic view. Sometimes you’re focused on the wrong thing, but persevering and continuing to tinker and problem-solve until you get it right is everything."
In robotics, failure is part of the process. By embracing challenges and learning from mistakes, kids develop a mindset that fuels success in every field. Help your child to troubleshoot, persist, and see failure as a learning opportunity with encouragements like:
“Even the most successful engineers face setbacks. What matters is learning from your mistakes and trying again!”
“Your brain is a muscle, just like your other muscles. You have to practice problem-solving, critical thinking, and resilience to make it strong. Keep working at it!”
“Your next breakthrough could be just one tweak away. Stay curious! Sometimes small adjustments lead to big discoveries.”
3. Embrace the power of new perspectives
For Leanne, one of her key pillars is that solutions often require stepping back and rethinking the problem:
"We had to change our approach and look at the entire system rather than just focusing on one part. That shift in perspective was crucial in solving the problem."
When your child gets stuck while trying to solve a problem, guide them with these questions:
“What are some different ways you can approach this problem?”
“What is the big picture and how can you break it down into smaller parts?”
“Remember, there is often more than one way to solve a problem—what are some other solutions you can think of?”
4. Remember that collaboration is key
Leanne’s work with Team Valkyrie underscores how essential teamwork is to robotics:
"We leaned heavily on each other’s strengths and experiences. Robotics is about finding your role on the team, and sometimes that means listening and learning from others. The community you build is your support system."
In robotics, no one works alone. It fosters communication and teamwork—critical skills for any career. Whether it's in school, extracurriculars, or at summer camp, encourage your child to work with others on projects! Help them understand the importance of team dynamics like listening, sharing ideas, and learning from others. The robotics community is filled with like-minded kids who are eager to collaborate with your child.
5. Understand that robotics is the future
Her passion for robotics and engineering shines through in every competition, making her not only a respected competitor, but also a role model for aspiring engineers and fans of mechanized sports worldwide. Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of robotics is its role in leading technological advances. As Leanne explains, robotics has always been at the forefront of innovation, with new tools emerging every year.
"Robotics has always been on the cutting edge. Every year, new technologies and tools come out, and you get to experience that firsthand."
For kids, this means that they’re not just learning about existing technology—they’re actively engaging with the latest innovations that are shaping industries in automation, artificial intelligence, and more. By diving into robotics, they’ll gain a front-row seat to tomorrow’s opportunities as they prepare to be leaders in a world powered by technology.
TL;DR
Robotics isn’t just about building bots—it’s about developing problem-solving skills, resilience, and a future-ready mindset. We sat down with BattleBots® Champion, Leanne Cushing, to get her five key truths about robotics:
- Stay curious in the name of innovation
- Be bold in tackling challenges
- Embrace the power of new perspectives
- Remember that collaboration is key
- Understand that robotics is the future
Whether it’s clubs, BattleBots® Camps, or at-home kits, it’s never too early or late for your child to dive into the hands-on learning of robotics that builds innovative skills for the future!