BY AMANDA PEVEY
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS SUBMITTED FROM SCHOOLS
Three teams from Elmore County Public Schools qualified to participate in the recent VEX-IQ Worlds Competition in Dallas, Texas. The schools were Eclectic Middle School, Millbrook Middle School, and Airport Road Intermediate School.
This was a huge honor for all of them. Eclectic Middle School and Millbrook Middle School attended on May 7th through May 11th. Airport Road Intermediate School attended May 9th through May 13th. The competition took place at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
The VEX-IQ Robotics initially started with over 30,000 teams world-wide from 40 nations. For the WORLDs competition, a total of 3,000 teams and 36 nations came together in one place to try and become a champion. Children used different strategies, amazing teamwork, and 21st century skills which include collaboration, communication, and problem solving.
Airport Road Intermediate School’s team is called ARIS MUSTANGS 2; #95432B. They are a group of third and fourth graders with high spirits who stay focused and determined to do their very best. Jaxon Robbins (3rd grade), Raylee Smart (3rd grade), Lincoln Molander (4th grade), Kaylin Dennis (4th grade), and Caiden Repoles (4th grade) attended the competition. Their coaches included Amber Blankenship, Sydni Edwards, and Amanda Main. The team placed 28th in the Engineering division.
Out of all the teams that could have been selected, ARIS received the INSPIRE AWARD. The “Inspire” award is presented to the most passionate and positive team at the event. The team exhibits integrity and goodwill toward other teams, coaches, and spectators at the event. The team inspires the design ideas with others. This team embraces the concept of cooperative learning and serves as a positive example to other teams.
“We had one of the smallest robots at the competition, but that did not stop us! Most teams had a robot that could shoot out and we did not, but that did not stop our kids from working hard with other teams and doing their very best at every match. Our kids worked so hard and competed with other teams from all over the U.S. including Hawaii and a team from Taiwan. Team 95432B got the experience of a lifetime, learned so much more about robotics, and made us all proud. Go ARIS,” said from their coaches Blankenship, Edwards, and Main.
“I am so proud of our Robotics team. Our team is wired for greatness,” said Marcy Stephens; Principal for Airport Road Intermediate School. “They learned so much at the competition since the first day they were there until the last day. Our children had the opportunity to interact with other international countries. It has been such a great experience for them. They were not afraid at all, always felt comfortable, and it felt natural to them throughout the entire event. I would like to thank the coaches, Blankenship, Edwards, and Main of their leadership to our Robotics program. I also would like to thank our robotic parents and our supporters for helping to make this a great experience for our boys and girls.”
Eclectic Middle School’s team is called the VEXSTEINS; #22324A. They are a group of can-do seventh graders with great attitudes and each with a wonderful sense of humor, too! Logan Tingley (12), Bailey Kennedy (13) and Caden Bryant (12) attended the competition. Baleigh Wilson, who is also on the team, was not able to make the trip due to schedule conflicts. Their coach attending was Amy Harrell.
Their push bot has been affectionately named “Bertie” by the kids (after Albert Einstein). This robot, “the little robot that could,” was so impressive and efficient that it got them to World Championship Competition.
The team placed 64th in the Design division. “This trip to Dallas has inspired all of us. One thing our children learned is that you cannot assume where anyone is from by the way they look. This is truly a GLOBAL classroom; there was a group from Canada that spoke both fluent English and Chinese. It was so cool to see that. Also, the team got to meet kids from all around the world and seeing such incredible robot designs has only inspired us to push ourselves further in the upcoming year.,” said Coach Harrell. She is also the Library Media Specialist at Eclectic Middle School. “I am very proud of my team! Watching these kids get so enthused about computer science and robotics and focus so much on the teamwork aspect of the competition has been such the reward. The VEX Robotics Competition really expanded horizons for my kids and increased their confidence levels in many ways. I would like to thank our wonderful EMS parents, administrators, and bookkeepers for all of their support to get us to WORLDs.”
Millbrook Middle School’s team is called the MILLBROOK BOTS; 22439A. It is a group that is made up of two fifth graders, one sixth grader, and one eight grader who each do a fantastic job at collaborating and working well as a team. Caleb Ross (5th grade), Mitchell Licina (5th grade), Liam Felio (6th grade), and Vohn Kirk Barnes (8th grade).
The coaches were Carrie Licina, and Alison Powell, both math teachers at Millbrook Middle School. Their robot was named “Tiny Tim.” The team built the robot because it was able to take in all of the competition balls and shoot them into the high goal. The team was not able to perfect the high hang, so they needed a BOT that would gain them the most points possible without the hang. The team placed 38th in the Research division.
The kids enjoyed getting the experience of working with international teams and building their alliances for each match. Also, the kids swapped swag with each other. One of the traditions for each team is to bring school pins and stickers to swap with other teams.
“We are in search of an ENGINEER to sponsor us in our design process,” said Carrie Licina; Coach for the MILLBROOK BOTS, and Math teacher for MMS.
“Our students received swag from other countries all over the world. Being a Project Lead the Way school, we were provided free lunch and a VEX-IQ Robotics World shirt,” said Dr. Renee Tucker; Assistant Principal for seventh and eighth grade at Millbrook Middle School. “The students learned so much from all the other teams from the middle school competition. They have over come language barriers and differences in strategy to be successful in each match. It was truly an amazing experience to have been able to come along with our team to attend the VEX IQ Worlds Robotics Competition! I would like to thank our Millbrook Middle school coaches, our robotic parents, and our supporters for making this experience a great success. So very proud to be a Mustang.”
Tracy Wright is the STEM Coordinator for the Elmore County Public Schools. “I was told that the data says 92% of students that compete in VEX-IQ go on to higher educational STEM pathways in college,” Wright said. “This is Elmore County’s 2nd year fully participating in VEX district wide. An Auburn, Alabama official said that it is unprecedented to have 3 teams make it to VEX Worlds so early in the program. To sustain our success, I am looking to be more proactive in finding STEM sponsors such as Hyundai, Delta, American Airlines…etc. We continue to follow the engineering model constantly adjusting our STEM programs. The competition is a small part in what I observed. Students collaborating with other teams not just across the United States but around the world. China, Turkey, India, Germany, the UK and many more. Having to use tools such as Google Translate to communicate. Some of our students have never flown before. The student’s excitement is my drive!! I volunteered my time to be at the VEX-IQ Worlds Competition as a Tournament Manager to lead by example to the young eyes that are always watching. I want to thank the teachers, principals, leaders in the county, the Superintendent, Elmore County Public Schools board members, all of our sponsors, and the outside stakeholders for making all of this possible,” Wright said.
Elmore County School Supt. Richard Dennis said, “I would like to congratulate the three Elmore County Public Schools that made the VEX-IQ Worlds Competition in Dallas, Texas. Our STEM programs have certainly been successful and we are excited about next year. I am very proud of them for doing so well this year.”
For more information about the Robotics programs that are happening in our Elmore County Public Schools, please visit their main website at www.elmoreco.com and click on the school in your area to learn more about the program. You can also call the school your child attends to learn more about the program as well.
