Video: Area Students Compete in Robotics Challenge

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BELDEN, Miss. (WCBI) — Some of the brightest science, math and engineering students tested their skills today in Tupelo. It was the annual Vex Robotics Competition.

Twenty teams from across North Mississippi are going head to head, or robot to robot in this contest at ICC’s Belden campus.

“It is a big deal to the kids, they spend a lot of time engineering their robot, putting them together, programming them, to make them do what they want them to do,” said ICC Instructor, Ashley Smith.

The challenge is to build a robot from a kit that can do a number of tasks in a set amount of time. The tasks include stacking blocks or cones and pushing and pulling blocks into designated zones.

“It’s really just basic computer skills, engineering, building and robotics, most importantly.”

These students are learning about more than just how to build robots, they are also learning valuable skills they can use after high school and college.

“Video game design,knowing how to use the program, it clicks with me,” said Shannon High School student, Javen Foster.

New Hope High School teacher Tracey Doyle added, “These kids have probably learned the most about teamwork than anything else.”

“We work better together and if we work individually things don’t usually work as well. It”s better if we communicate and team build,” said Taylor Morrison of New Hope High School.

Winners from this contest advance to state in December. The national Vex Robotics competition is set for April in Indianapolis.

The goal of the competition is to expose more students to science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields.

Categories: Local News

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