VEX League Nights, a smaller version of a robotics competition, aims to involve new robotics students in competitions. This event, held on October 24 at the middle school, helped 7th and 8th-grade teams gain experience, confidence, and pride in their robots, strategies, and teamwork.
VEX Robotics, the robotics program at the middle school, is an international organization that gives students a chance to learn about engineering, programming, and collaboration with other students, all while competing in a fun environment.
“My hope for younger teams participating in the League Night is that they will get a taste of what competitive robotics is all about,” Head of Robotics and Science Teacher Tripp Reed said. “One of the most important parts of the engineering design process is the test phase. Competing in league night is a great opportunity for the students to test their designs.”
This specific event, held to slowly introduce teams to competing, showed teams how the game works, as well as teamwork, kindness, and a positive mindset during stressful times.
“My first win was the most memorable part of the competition,” Jonah Trachtenberg ’31 said. “We had been on a losing streak, but we’d been working really hard [in the robotics lab], so it was nice to have it pay off.”
Teams were given seven weeks before this competition to fully build, program fully, and practice driving their robot, inspiring them to move quickly and utilize all of their skills to make the deadline.
“Two weeks before [the competition], we realized we needed to lock in,” Isabella Kwon ’31 said. “Before, our work was inefficient, as we hadn’t realized the weight [of the quick arrival] of the competition.”
All while working through deadlines, struggles, and difficulties, students on the robotics team also find time to enjoy robotics with friends while competing.
“I get to form bonds with my teammates and people I didn’t know before,” which made robotics a special experience for him and his friends.” Eric Kim ’31 said.
