Twenty students, Lakewood Science Teachers Jennifer Griffin and Renee Toms, volunteers and parents welcomed 13 robotics teams from all over Kansas for a day of challenging competition on December 4. The event was run by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), but was made possible by Salina Central’s team HorsePOWER 3172.
Lakewood’s Teams, 43190 – Mustang Megatrons, and 43191 – Mustang Megatrons 2.0, were formed as an after-school robotics program. FIRST limits teams to 10 students. Past years had just one team, but due to high rates of interest, Lakewood expanded into two teams. The 20 students competed in the scrimmage for Saturday’s competition.
“These students learned so much this season all while having fun!” said coach Griffin. Each year FIRST puts out a new challenge for students to solve. This year’s challenge was named Cargo Connect. The teams had from August to December to develop a strategy, build a Lego robot, code the robot instructions and create an Innovation project.
Snacks and bussing are provided by ESSER2 funds which support improving student academic achievement and helping to close the learning gap created by COVID-19.
Robotics is an excellent example of the broad range of opportunities for USD 305 students’ involvement beyond the classroom. These opportunities translate into personal growth and development that support student success beyond graduation.