Feature Friday WCS Robotics

Robotics Teams Achieving Success at Washington Community Schools

There are many benefits to participating in robotics clubs. Students learn skills such as creative problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration, and can lay the groundwork for their future careers. At WCS, three robotics teams involving students in grades 5-12 are excelling at robotics competitions this spring.

Two groups of 5th & 6th graders from Washington Upper Elementary have qualified for state. They will compete at the VEX IQ 2023 Indiana State Robotics Competition at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 25, 2023. This will be the largest State Championship in the country, gathering over 350 robotics teams from elementary, middle, and high schools across the state to compete. “Words cannot begin to describe how proud I am of these kids and this team,” said Coach Lisa Emmick. ”Hard work pays off!”  The community can cheer on teams 88872B & 88872C by watching the live stream using this link:2023 - VEX IQ ES Engineering Divisions - Indiana Robotics State Championship Streaming

The Junior High Hatchet Ratchex robotics team, which is only in its second season, was the 1st place winner of the Motivate Award at their FIRST Tech Challenge competition. This award is based on a team Engineering Portfolio they created. As a fundraiser, the team designed and created ornaments using the Glowforge in the Design & Innovation Lab. 

“Participating in robotics I’ve learned how to be a better teammate with other people,” said team member Grant Fry. “I  have also learned about problem-solving and how to think more open-mindedly.”

7th-grade student  Brooks Chestnut agrees, and added, “I have learned that no idea is too crazy or out there.”

WHS Hatchet Robotics competed March 10-12, 2023 at the first-ever FIRST Robotics Competition in southern Indiana. Out of 28 teams competing at Princeton High School, WHS returned home as Tournament Champions as members of a three-team alliance!  Hatchet Robotics will compete at the FIRST Tippecanoe District Event on March 24-26,  at Jefferson High School in Lafayette.  

Participating in robotics strengthens STEM skills such as science, technology, engineering, and math. With so many future careers focusing on STEM, robotics is a great way to give students a head start. Good luck Hatchets!