Rockwall schools attend record-setting robotics championship event

(ROCKWALL, TX — May 4, 2016) Three Rockwall ISD elementary schools — Amy Parks, Springer, and Stevenson — attended the VEX Worlds Robotics Competition at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky on April 20-23. It was an amazing experience and opportunity to work with teams from all over the world, representing 30 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States.

KSP-20160422-170532B — Featured students from Amy Parks Robo Rascals: Back Row: Grant Windels, Aidan Winn, and Jacob Pabian; Middle Row: Parker Angel; Front Row: Dylan Almy and Garrett Hail. Billie Stevenson/Utley Rockin’ Robotics: Back Row: Josh Sadler (Utley), Becca Byington (Utley), and Aubren Montgomery; Middle Row: Marqelle Fisher, Chloe Charbonneau, Averleigh Fisher (Utley), and Reese Ewert, Cade Adams; Front Row: Elijah Sadler, Riley Singleton, Austin Taylor, and Jeramiah Jackai. Ouida Springer Robo-Raptors: Back Row: Peyton Williams, David Granger, and Ryan Bostik; Middle Row: Jaxon Cleverly, Donovan Copioli, and Eli Deen; Front Row: Jerry Dales, J.D. Webb, and Cathryn Lara-Ramirez.

There were 1,075 teams ranging from elementary to collegiate level. As a result, VEX Robotics received the Guinness Book of World Records Award for hosting the largest robotics event in history and will air on ESPN 2 on July 20th at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Special guest speakers were invited from major companies representing STEAM fields, all stating a similar message that robotics exposure provides learning skills necessary for the future and thanked students for participating in this program. Teams were exposed to a higher platform of engineering by working with others across the globe, pushing the envelope for sophisticated robot design.

Thanks to all the coaches, parents, and students for investing countless hours into preparing for this event. Most of all, a very special thanks to Mr. Paul Copioli, President of VEX Robotics, for devoting his time and expertise toward expanding the robotics program in Rockwall ISD.

Submitted by Jenny Kaup, Springer Elementary SAGE teacher.

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