Amanda Pevey
Staff Writer
Millbrook Middle School Mustangs competed in the S.C.O.R.E. competition at The Great Wolf Lodge in Georgia last week.
The S.C.O.R.E. tournament is a regional signature event for VEX IQ Robotics competitions. Students from all over the country build and program robots that complete in this years game called pitching in. Students work as an alliance with other teams to score points by getting balls into goals.
The robots are completely student designed, built, tested, and programmed. Adults have minimal involvement which is what makes VEX programs stand out. Signature events like this one attract teams from all around the country.
The coaches for the Millbrook Middle School team are Carrie Licina, Lana Moore, and Leeanne Powell. A total of four teams from Millbrook went to the competition.
- Millbrook Bots team: Mya Taylor, Kylie Gunn, Vohn Kirk Barnes- placed 25th (7th and 8th grade)
- Robostangs: Owen Phillips, Liam Felix, Alex Smith (6th grade)- placed 13th in qualification matches and 8th overall in Finals matches.
- Millbrook Deceptabots: Luke McDougal, Mitchell Licina- placed 11th in qualifying matches and 5th overall in finals matches
- STEM Stallions: Robert Smith, Parker Burkhalter, Noah Childress, Caleb Ross Placed 27th in qualifying matches
“I went in knowing very little about robotics. I had been around the kids and helped out when I could, I briefly taught a robotics class last semester and really fell in love with the problem solving aspect. More importantly I loved seeing the kids be challenged by a problem they have created or something they wanted to add, and then working together to solve it! I enjoyed seeing how each student thought of different solutions and kept trying them out until they came together to figure out something that worked. So when I was asked to take on an official coaching responsibility I jumped at the opportunity! I volunteered to chaperone before starting to coach, and little did I know I would end up being the one to get them through the competition alone (although not without our head coach Carrie Licina helping solve problems from a distance and FaceTiming for several matches and practices),” said Powell.
“During the tournament, we got there and hit the ground running with planning and making sure everyone had what they needed to have a successful day. The parents jumped in to help behind the scenes so I could focus on helping the kids. It was a whirlwind of making sure robots had back up parts and batteries and making sure they got their practices in and getting in line to compete and being there to watch every single match. (34 to be exact). The tournament was certainly not without its challenges, but I know the robotics education community is the place for me because every time I had an issue or needed help or guidance there was another coach right there willing to help,” said Powell.
The students, coaches, and parents also spent quality time at the water park, arcade, and ropes course when they had some free time. All in all it was a great experience for everyone.
“I’m overwhelmed with the amount of support that our Millbrook community is bringing to the table. The passion our robotics students have for their craft is growing daily. I’m very proud of them,” said Sean Kreauter, Principal of Millbrook Middle School.
Richard Dennis, Superintendent of Elmore County Schools, also spoke to EAN about our amazing STEM program. “Elmore County School District’s ultimate goal is to mold a system full of creative students, who are constantly developing new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Elmore County School District believes our STEM programs are timely. There’s a greater need for creative thinking today than ever before, and new technologies are offering new ways to help young people develop as creative thinkers. We also believe that creative thinking has always been, and will always be, a central part of what makes life worth living. Life as a creative thinker can bring not only economic rewards, but also joy, fulfillment, purpose, and meaning. Our children deserve nothing less. Elmore County is developing STEM programs at all levels that will transition seamlessly from elementary to middle to high school. With a STEM Academy being developed at the high school levels. We want to develop students that are willing to take risks and try new things in academia. Our belief is that students are eager to define their own problems rather than simply solve the ones in the textbook. It is the student who comes up with the most innovative ideas and creative new directions that will excel in the 21st century. With our STEM programs incorporated during the day as well as our extended day school programs and competitions we feel every student is empowered and every student will succeed in this ever-changing world. So we are very optimistic about the students futurey,” said Dennis.
Millbrook Middle School is looking for more sponsors for the program especially for the Elmore County Youth League matches. They have 3 more tournaments coming up that could use more sponsors. By simply feeding the children and buying more equipment could really help boost the program. Hopefully a summer camp will happen this year and hosting our own signature event is the ultimate goal if they are able to get the specialized equipment needed for the program. If you wanting to sponsor the robotics program, please feel free to contact Carrie Licina at 334-399-2343, or call the Millbrook Middle School office at 334-285-2100 and speak to the principal, Sean Kreauter or Renee Tucker, Assistant Principal and over the STEM programs. Tucker’s best contact is to email her at: [email protected].
The last three VEX IQ Challenges are coming up on January 28th, January 31st, and February 3rd. The students will accumulate points within their competition rounds. All four tournaments will be hosted at Millbrook Middle School and co-host is Airport Road Intermediate School. Award ceremony will take place on February 3rd once all points have been accumulated. The time is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Spectators will watch live stream from the lunchroom. Viewers at home can watch it on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/1f43b3vCB4k. For more information please visit the Millbrook Middle School Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/millbrookmiddleschool.com.
