Eastern Panhandle’s school robotics tournament

SHEPHERDSTOWN – Shepherdstown Middle School’s gym buzzed with cheers, strategy sessions, and the whir of plastic gears, as 20 middle school robotics teams gathered for one of the largest local robotics tournament competitions to date.

The atmosphere was electric, with teams working diligently at their tables, adjusting their robots, discussing strategies, and cheering each other on. The spirit of collaboration was evident as students exchanged ideas and tips on how to improve their designs.

The atmosphere was electric, with teams working diligently at their tables, adjusting their robots, discussing strategies, and cheering each other on. The spirit of collaboration was evident as students exchanged ideas and tips on how to improve their designs.

Parents and teachers looked on with pride, snapping photos and recording videos of their students in action. The sense of community was palpable as families gathered to support their teams.

The tournament was not just about winning; it was an opportunity for students to learn and grow. Many participants shared their experiences and the lessons they learned throughout the preparation process, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and creativity.

As the teams competed, the tension was palpable. Each match brought its own set of challenges, and teams had to adapt quickly to the unfolding scenarios. The excitement of the crowd grew with each successful maneuver or strategic play.

Students had the opportunity to showcase their problem-solving skills when faced with unexpected issues during the matches. Quick thinking and collaboration were key to overcoming obstacles, and many teams found success through creative solutions.

After each match, teams gathered to discuss their performance, analyzing what worked and what didn’t. This reflection process is crucial for their development as budding engineers and programmers.

The involvement of the Jefferson County STEAM teachers played a significant role in fostering an environment of learning and support. They provided mentorship and encouragement, helping students navigate both the technical and emotional aspects of competition.

With the tournament drawing to a close, participants eagerly awaited the awards ceremony. This moment not only recognized the hard work and achievements of the teams but also celebrated the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defined the event.

Parents and teachers looked on with pride, snapping photos and recording videos of their students in action. The sense of community was palpable as families gathered to support their teams.

The tournament was not just about winning; it was an opportunity for students to learn and grow. Many participants shared their experiences and the lessons they learned throughout the preparation process, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and creativity.

As the teams competed, the tension was palpable. Each match brought its own set of challenges, and teams had to adapt quickly to the unfolding scenarios. The excitement of the crowd grew with each successful maneuver or strategic play.

“This is the largest robotics tournament we’ve had so far,” said Shepherdstown Middle’s STEAM teacher, Randy Short, who organized the event. “It’s really exciting for us to do it.”

Students had the opportunity to showcase their problem-solving skills when faced with unexpected issues during the matches. Quick thinking and collaboration were key to overcoming obstacles, and many teams found success through creative solutions.

After each match, teams gathered to discuss their performance, analyzing what worked and what didn’t. This reflection process is crucial for their development as budding engineers and programmers.

The involvement of the Jefferson County STEAM teachers played a significant role in fostering an environment of learning and support. They provided mentorship and encouragement, helping students navigate both the technical and emotional aspects of competition.

With the tournament drawing to a close, participants eagerly awaited the awards ceremony. This moment not only recognized the hard work and achievements of the teams but also celebrated the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defined the event.

A total of 22 teams registered for the robotics tournament, with 20 ultimately competing. Schools from across Berkeley and Jefferson counties participated, along with one team traveling from Front Royal, Virginia, and the farthest coming from Morgantown.

The competition featured the VEX IQ program, a plastic robotics platform designed for middle school students. Each year, a new game for the next year’s competition is unveiled at the VEX World Championship. Last year, it was held in Dallas, with more than 9,500 attendees representing over 50 countries and teams spent months designing, building and refining their robots to meet that challenge.

The competition provided a platform for students to connect with one another, forging friendships that extended beyond the robotics tournament. Many expressed excitement about participating again next year, eager to improve their skills and knowledge.

The competition provided a platform for students to connect with one another, forging friendships that extended beyond the robotics tournament. Many expressed excitement about participating again next year, eager to improve their skills and knowledge.

This year’s game, called “Mix and Match,” requires students to stack colored pins and cones and score them in designated areas for points. Each match lasts one minute and pairs two teams together in a cooperative format rather than a head-to-head contest.

“It’s not a competition. It’s a cooperative game,” Short said. “They know ahead of time who they’re going to be playing with, and so, they will go and strategize with them – ‘Hey, our robot’s really good at doing this.’ ‘OK, well my robot’s really good at that.’ Then, we’ll work together.”

The event marks the third year Jefferson County has run its own tournament after initially partnering with the West Virginia Robotics Alliance through a NASA grant. The county’s STEAM teachers now operate the competition independently, supported by faculty and parent volunteers.

Students begin preparing months in advance. Teresa Collins, a first-year coach at Shepherdstown Middle School, who brought 12 students divided into four teams, said her group started shortly after Labor Day.

“They have to build everything themselves, so it requires them to make decisions about when to be finished with something and then move on to the next stage of the activity,” Collins said. “They have to plan everything and build their strategies. So, it teaches a lot of self-reliance as well as so much communication.”

Coaches are not allowed to physically build or modify the robots, instead guiding students through documentation and the engineering design process. Teams maintain detailed engineering notebooks that record daily progress, data collection and iterative improvements, all of which factor into judged awards.

Organizers said the lessons extend well beyond robotics.

“The biggest thing, and it’s the most frustrating thing, as well, is that they’re learning how to fail and get back up and start again,” Short said. “We have cheers, we have tears – we have it all inside our club.”

Collins echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of emotional regulation during competition.

“They have to be able to keep it together when they’re at the events and not let things slide off their backs when it doesn’t go their way,” Collins said.