Zipping Along
by Jenna Greaves
At Syamala “Syam” Dhanyamraju’s home in Sanford, the back patio is much more than a spot to socialize or relax. Syam has turned it into a STEM-infused hub for student innovation and teamwork.
In 2017, Syam started a robotics team for her son Sanat after he missed the robotics tryouts at his school, which at the time was Sanford Middle. The team, known as the Z.I.P Ties, was created for kids who were looking for an after-school activity and a chance to learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Over the years, that fledgling team developed into a group of ambitious young engineers who compete in FIRST Tech Challenge matches – team-based robotics competitions for students in seventh through 12th grades. The nonprofit FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global community preparing young people for the future.
Limitless Potential
Despite not having vast knowledge of the engineering field, Syam jumped in headfirst, learning alongside her students and hosting meetings in her garage in the team’s early days. As the group expanded, the Z.I.P Ties moved to her back patio so they could have more space.
It’s worth noting that Z.I.P stands for Zeal Inspired Potential, which these kids fully embody. This year’s members were from Seminole High School, Sanford Middle School, and Crooms Academy of Information Technology, but the team is open to all middle schoolers and high schoolers in Seminole.
“I’ve created something that can transfer to the next generation,” says Syam, who serves as the team’s head coach. “It’s really rewarding to see these kids grow.”
Syam’s son Sanat is still involved with the team as an alumni mentor. The group has built quite a name for itself in several ways: through robotics competitions, STEM advocacy, and mentorship.
For three consecutive years, the Z.I.P Ties represented Florida at the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas. Arnav Gaddamanugu, the team captain, says the building process for each robot takes careful coding, design, and 3-D printing.
“We have to generate a lot of money because these parts aren’t cheap at all,” says Arnav, a rising junior at Seminole High School.
The team also works to ensure that future generations will continue to have access to robotics and other STEM opportunities.
In 2024, the Z.I.P Ties was the only Florida team at the National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., where the students championed the importance of STEM education. The group also led the Florida State Advocacy Conference to empower students to advocate for robotics funding and curriculum in schools.
By the Numbers
Srishti Sharma, the team’s business and outreach rookie, says it is important to gain the support of government leaders.
“In the past 10 years, STEM funding has gone down from 40 percent to 37 percent, and this number is only looking to decrease,” says Srishti, a rising freshman at Seminole High School. “We want to really get as much money back into this program because STEM in education and robotics is so vital for the future workforce.”
Team Z.I.P Ties also works to build the next generation of young engineers through outreach events.
The team hosts robotics workshops at the Westside Community Center in Sanford and mentors students at Seminole High, Sanford Middle, and other schools to help them build their own robotics programs.
Z.I.P Ties members have also hosted coding and robotics demonstrations at Spark STEM Fest at Orlando Science Center, NASA’s student outreach programs, and other events, inspiring hundreds of young learners.
Whether students are looking for a hands-on technical engineering role, a leadership position, or an opportunity to grow the team’s business connections and sponsorships, Z.I.P Ties offers a variety of skills to prepare students for the workforce.
“It’s not just kids building robots,” says Syam. “It’s robots building kids.”
Students interested in learning more about joining a local robotics team can visit FirstInspires.org or contact Z.I.P Ties at teamzipties@gmail.com.