Dozens of middle school students demonstrated their engineering prowess on March 10, 2024, at the VEX Robotics Competition held at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. The event, titled “Clash of the Robots,” featured 29 teams from across the state competing on a 12 x 12-foot field, showcasing their custom-built robots through a series of timed matches.
Participants, including James Howl, a 16-year-old from team Asterisk, meticulously measured the height of his robot while preparing for the competition. “We spent a lot of time on design and functionality,” he noted, highlighting the dedication of the teams involved.
Young innovators like Archer England, a 12-year-old from Bluegrass Middle School, were seen adding final touches to their robots, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the event. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as teams worked against the clock to perfect their creations.
Engaging Challenges and Teamwork
The competition encouraged not only technical skills but also teamwork and problem-solving. Emilie Osborne, part of team Iterated, focused on ensuring her robot was competition-ready just before the matches began. “It’s really thrilling to see all the hard work come together,” she remarked, reflecting the sentiment shared by many participants.
Students from TK Stone Middle School, including Landon Kin, 13, and Zain Ahme, 12, also participated, showcasing their collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for robotics. These young engineers were seen fine-tuning their robot, demonstrating the importance of precision and teamwork in engineering projects.
Meanwhile, Tori Bennett, a 14-year-old competitor from West Hardin Middle School, was busy attaching her team’s plate number. “Every detail matters,” she said, underscoring the commitment of the students to their projects.
The VEX Robotics Competition not only serves as a platform for students to display their technical abilities but also fosters a sense of community among young engineers. By encouraging creativity and innovation, events like this help prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
As the competition proceeded, the excitement among the teams was palpable. The skills learned through such hands-on experiences are invaluable in developing critical thinking and engineering capabilities among students. The Clash of the Robots proved to be a successful and engaging event, inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.
