Southside Academy’s first robotics club recently competed in the annual CNY VEX IQ Robotics competition, a STEM-focused robotics competition, at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (the MOST).
The school sent three teams – The Bionic Four, the Lego-Formers, and Let’s Get These Bolts – from the newly founded club that began at the beginning of the school year. The teams, comprised of eighth-grade students, focus on learning hands-on STEM curriculum to help prepare them for future technology-related jobs.
“Being on the robotics team has helped the scholars grow in so many ways,” said Ashley Schinto, seventh- through eighth-grade science teacher at Southside. “This opportunity allows the students to build their self-esteem and become more confident in themselves and others. It opens their eyes to different ways of life and experiences.”
The competition required the teams to use a VEX IQ kit to build and program a robot and complete a task with that robot. Each kit included gears, wheels, and accessories that allow the students to fully customize their robot.
"The goal of all of the MOST's outreach competitions is to empower as many students in Central New York as possible to get hands-on with STEM topics that will enhance and support their education," said Lauren Kochian, president at the MOST.
During the CNY VEX IQ competition, the scholars won an energy award and are now gearing up for another tournament in early February.
“I am so impressed and proud of how the scholars represented themselves and our school,” said Schinto. “They had a blast and were beyond engaged. Their love and interest in this is amazing.”
Keep up the great work, Southside robotics club!