Monroeville robotics teams wins big

NORWALK — A Monroeville robotics team won first place at a Norwalk tournament this weekend. Monroeville Schools sent five elementary teams and one middle school team to the tournament. Overall, Monroeville teams won first, second, third and fourth place at the tournament. Norwalk Schools Robotics program hosted the elementary and middle school competition, "The Nerd Nation VEX IQ State Qualifier." Over 60 robotics teams attended. Teams from Marion Schools, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools, Pleasant Schools, Monroeville Schools, Norwalk Schools, North Union Schools, Norwalk Catholic Schools, Margaretta Schools and Horizon Science Academy in Columbus attended. For Monroeville Schools, Team 14163B, consisting of Aiden Wilson, Blake Oney, Isaac Wadsworth, and Aidan Schaffer won first place at the tournament, and their team won the "Amaze Award" for having an amazing robot design and an excellent game strategy. Robotics programs are student centered and provide students with opportunities to design, create, program and drive robots all while building some much needed 21st century skills such as collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. Students quickly learn to collaborate with kids from other schools and other teams as they strategize ways to earn the most points in each match. During the Norwalk tournament, each of the 60 robotics teams competed in six matches during the qualification rounds. The top 20 teams then moved on to compete in the finals. For the teamwork challenge, there are two teams on the field working together to get the most points scored during each 60-second match. Each team has two team members driving for their team, and around the 30-second mark, the robot's remote control gets passed from the first driver to the second. Team 14163C, consisting of Scarlett Shupe, Victor Scherley, Ava Wadsworth, and Ethan Nickoli won second place. Team 14163E, consisting of Gage Whitman, Keeley Woodruff, and Colton Harvey teamed up with 14163A, consisting of Logan Barnes, Drake Bailes, and Jacob O'Brien to win third place. Team 14163D, consisting of Cole Myers, and Carter Perry, won fourth place. The Monroeville Robotics team has been working hard all season, and all six of their elementary and middle school teams have qualified to compete at the state championship, which will take place March 5, in Marion.