BCSC Robotics teams had a strong showing this past weekend at the Indiana State Championship for VEX Robotics, where a Smith Elementary team earned an invitation to the world championship.
Five elementary school and two middle school BCSC teams were represented during competition on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium where more than 300 teams at the elementary, middle and high school levels competed.
Team 59813B, known as the Super Cyborgs from Smith Elementary, are poised to make a second consecutive trip to Dallas for the VEX World Championship, held from May 1 to May 3.
Although the Super Cyborgs did not earn any awards that typically ensure bids to the world championship, they got in due to their high skills score, according to BCSC Robotics’ Lisa Haines.
Just 22 teams at state earned an invitation to the world championship and the Bartholomew County School Foundation (BCSF) is currently raising money to fund their trip. To donate, people are asked to put “Sonic Robotics” as the memo when donating at bcsfstars.org.
Another team from Smith Elementary, Team 59813A, the Super Sonics, made it to the elementary finals.
Team59813C, the Central Circuit Breakers, advanced to the middle school finals during their first year of competition.
The following BCSC teams competed in the state championship:
- Team 59813A Super Sonics, Smith Elementary
- Team 59813B Sonic Cyborgs, Smith Elementary
- Team 84636A Pirate Robotics, Parkside Elementary
- Team 59813Y Electro Power Kids, Smith Elementary
- Team 42354A Southside VEX-Stangs, Southside Elementary
- Team 59813C Central Circuit Breakers, Central Middle School
- Team 47201A ChargerBots, Central Middle School
Additionally, Kyle Weidner, who coaches teams at Smith and Central Middle School, was a nominee for Mentor of the Year by TechPoint Foundation for Youth, which hosts the state championship.
The award is given to a mentor “who shows true leadership and dedication to his or her robotics students,” and “continually exceeds expectations to create a safe, enjoyable and educational experience for all students,” according to TechPoint’s website.
