Preparing for the upcoming Technology Student Association (TSA) State competitions in April, Robotics students are building momentum at the right time by competing in several competitions over the past few weeks.
“The competitions we have been to has given them valuable experience,” Robotics teacher Daniel Mackey said.
In competitions, the students vie to qualify in several events for the “High Stakes” game in which they join forces with other teams. Their goal is to score points around the course by placing “donuts” on to goals scattered around the arena.
Going into regionals, the robotics team has won three straight VEX competitions, proving that they can compete at a high level. At the Langham Creek H.S. contest, the team placed 1st out of 40 teams and also placed 1st in a skills competition. After the UIL Division 6 Championships, the team will head to the Texas Region 3 State Championships in late February.
“My robotics team competes at Multiple VEX robotics competitions throughout the year to help prepare them for TSA state where they compete against other schools in different events,” Mackey said. “The wins have given them confidence that they have the skill and ability to perform well.”
Not only do the competitions give the students valuable experience, they also serve as opportunities to learn from others.
“It benefits me with ideas and growing my robotics knowledge and skills by talking to the other teams that are there,” junior David Ring said.
As state approaches, the robotics team is hard at work improving their robots.
“They are constantly making changes to their robots and program to maximize its efficiency,” Mackey said.
The students are learning more than just programming in this sport; they’re also learning skills that can help them in the future.
“I learned a ton of communication skills working with the team,” junior Caden Martin said. “I can now lead a team to completing a project.”
All these skills and experience will be put to use in future competitions as they continue to focus on state.
“I’m looking forward to the state competition and using my experience from last year to compete,” Martin said. “We are going to win state; I have no doubt.”
