San Antonio ISD held its second annual FIRST Lego League Robotics Competition on Feb. 18 at Hot Wells Middle School. Students in grades 4-8 had the opportunity to participate in this robotics event to show what they learned through this year's theme, "Superpowered," which challenged students to improve the energy journey to their community.
Last year, this event was open to only middle schoolers, but with growing interest in expanding STEM opportunities to fourth and fifth graders, the Career and Technical Education Department's STEM 6-12 program partnered with the Educational Technology & Design Department's K-5 program to expand the reach of this program to elementary students.
The expansion of this tournament and robotics teams in SAISD has also been supported by funding from The Najim Charitable Foundation in partnership with the SAISD Foundation.
A total of 21 schools participated at Saturday's contest and six qualified to attend the regional contest March 4: Davis Middle School, Hawthorne Academy, Rhodes Middle School, Rogers Middle School, Washington Elementary and Young Women's Leadership Academy.
Among them, Rhodes Middle School, coached by Patricia Barrios and Marie Epstein, received the overall Championship Award.
“These two educators have invested numerous hours in ensuring that our students were prepared to experience success and will continue to do so as we now prepare for regionals,” principal Dr. Rick Flores said. “We are certainly proud of our Robotics Team here at Rhodes Middle School.”
Other teams received individual awards for their processes. Judges watched teams’ interactions for FIRST Core Values — teamwork, inclusion, impact, fun, discovery, and innovation. Young Women’s Leadership Academy won the Core Values Award.
“The robotics program has helped our team members develop as students by portraying a new bond they did not previously have,” coach Tracee Lopez said. “They have been very positive and growing daily as a team. They are adjusting to how they respond to each other when things do not go as planned.”
The Rogers Middle School team, coached by Milton Roberts and Hector Leija, also received an award for Engineering Excellence.
“We always teach them to stay calm under any pressure,” Roberts said. “We knew our team would figure it out, but it was fun watching them navigate through the competition. They overcame any adversities encountered and proved that they were cable of accomplishing their mission.”
Hawthorne Academy, one of the new robotics teams this year, earned the Breakthrough Award for their efforts.
“My students were extremely excited to participate in the event,” coach Juanita Oropesa said. “They were proud to receive the Breakout Award. Robotics have helped my students build confidence, learn about teamwork, and learn the importance of goals.”
Congratulations to all the San Antonio ISD robotics teams for competing, to the regional qualifiers, and to the schools below for their additional awards:
• Coach Award - Mr. Leo Moreno, Hot Wells Middle School
• CORE Values Award - Team #29776, Young Women's Leadership Academy
• Innovation Project Award - Team #55404, Davis Middle School
• Robot Design Award - Team #59759, Washington Elementary
• Robot Performance Award - 1st Place, Team #29776, Young Women's Leadership Academy; 2nd Place Team #55313, Whittier Middle School
• Breakthrough Award - Team #59764, Hawthorne Academy
• Engineering Excellence - Team #55347, Rogers Middle School
• Rising All Stars - Team #55400, Mission Academy
• Motivation Award - MiniGEMS Tafolla/Barkley-Ruiz
• Motivate Award - Team #59741, JT Brackenridge Elementary
• Championship Award - Team #55348, Rhodes Middle School