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Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary School robotics program won a Regional Championship Innovate Award on Sunday, Mar. 15, which earned the students a spot in the World Championship in Dallas, TX. One of the school’s two teams was invited.
Kimberly A. Clifford, teacher of gifted students in fourth and fifth grade, who also served as a coach for the teams, was pleased with their success.
“I work with each of these students in the classroom for their core curriculum in math and science,” Clifford said. “This robotics program has allowed these students to grow in so many ways — socially, emotionally, independently and academically.
“Each of these students are in the gifted class with me and work on an accelerated math curriculum, completing sixth and seventh grade math while in fifth grade. I have watched their confidence build and transfer from the robotics program to the classroom and vice versa,” she added.
Susan Godoy, a coach and physical education teacher, also expressed pride in the students’ achievements.
“Running Whigham’s Vex IQ Robotics program is a rewarding experience, as it not only fosters teamwork and innovation but also builds confidence in the students,” Godoy said.
“The kids’ dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and it’s amazing to see them grow as we progress through our first Vex IQ robotics season.”
Samantha Steel, a coach and second grade teacher, explained the significance of what the students accomplished.
“With robotics, you can be a designer, a builder, and a problem-solver all at once. Every robot starts with a dream,” Steel said. “The dedication these kids have shown is incredible.
They definitely have a bright future ahead. I couldn’t be prouder of the robotics team at Whigham Elementary.”
Noah, a fifth grade student with Team Bolt, really enjoyed the experience.
“Clank! Clank! Clank! Things getting put together, to make you and the pieces feel better,” he said. “Robotics is a lot, but makes you feel like you fought.”
Francisco, a fifth grade student with Team Bolt, shared that opinion.
“Robotics may be easy at first, but every competition is a new challenge, and they just get harder and harder to keep winning,” he said.
Sophia, a fifth grade student with Team Miss Pepsi, agreed.
“I love robotics! Ever since the coaches introduced it to me last year! It’s so much fun,” she said.
Rose, a fifth grade student with Team Miss Pepsi, found that it taught her more than just the mechanics.
“Robotics has been so much fun ever since I joined last year,” she said. “It has shown me sportsmanship, and many other responsibilities so now I can use what it has shown me for other things like in another robotics team in middle school.”
In the competitions:
Competition 1 — They placed seventh and ninth out of 29 teams in total at Westminster Christian Academy, made it to finals and placed third and fourth. The Electrons with robot Bolt took home the Build Award and the Protons, while robot Miss Pepsi took home the Judges Award.
Competition 2 — There were 32 teams competing at the middle school level. Students (team Bolt and team Miss Pepsi) finished in seventh (Bolt) and 11th place (Pepsi), made it to the finals where they came in fourth and fifth place. At the awards ceremony, team Miss Pepsi received the Innovative Award for their creative design, which got them an entrance into the state level competition. Team Bolt won the top award of the day, the Excellence Award, getting them into the state level competition.
Competition 3 was at McMillian Middle on Feb. 22. Team Bolt was awarded second place in skills and Team Miss Pepsi won the Create Award.
Competition 4 was the South Florida Event Regional’s, also known as “states.” Team Miss Pepsi placed in the top 20 teams and went to the final rounds. Team Bolt took second place in Skills with 148 points and won an Innovative Award, which invited them to the World Championship in Dallas, TX, May 12-14.
The school’s PTA is accepting monetary donations to help pay for the team’s expenses for the Texas trip.
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