The Pampa Junior High Robotics teams took first and third PLACE in their TCEA Intermediate Arena Competition at Region 16 in Amarillo last month.
“I had 11 eighth graders and seven of those 11 placed,” PJHS Robotics Coach Haili Kotara said. “I usually take two or three teams to competition and this year two of them placed.”
The Robotics program is an elective course at PJHS for seventh and eighth graders.
“It starts out as a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) course for seventh graders,” Kotara said. “In eighth grade it turns into a robotics course.”
Kotara added students study programming and design based on what the criteria is for the competition.
“This year it was called ‘building widgets,’” Kotara said. “That’s where the robot goes and grabs various things in the arena and brings it back to a safety zone and then takes the parts to a target on the mat.”
Region 16 does have specific guidelines for what the robot is supposed to look like based on the task at hand, but that still leaves the door open for some creativity.
“There’s certain criteria and constraints they have to meet,” Kotara said. “But as far as the build of the robot is concerned, they can be as creative as they want. They can make the robot do what they want, but ultimately it’s about doing the task at hand. But how they do that task, each team is different.”
Robots are built from Lego EV3 kits and limited to a 12-inch by 12-inch size. Pampa Junior High Competed against 10 other intermediate teams at the competition and with the first-place finish, that Pampa team is advancing to State.
Kotara said this program is a great opportunity for students to get their creative juices flowing and take a hands-on approach to learning.
“The kids collaborate a lot and it’s hands-on,” Kotara said. “They learn a lot of problem-solving and working with other people, which are life-long skills. I think it’s a great option for kids.”
For more information on the Pampa Junior High School Robotics Program, call 806-669-4900.
