The Robotics team from Manatee Bay Elementary School won the Think Award at the VEX IQ World Championship held in Dallas, Texas, last month. This award recognizes the most effective and consistent use of coding techniques and programming design solutions to solve the game challenge. The team scored in the top 5% of all participating teams, showcasing their impressive STEM skills and dedication.
The VEX IQ World Championship is the highest level of robotics competition for students, with more than 400 teams from around the world competing. The students from Manatee Bay Elementary designed and programmed a custom-built robot to perform specific tasks, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Their success at this competition highlights their hard work and the quality of the BCPS STEM+ Computer Science Programs, Applied Learning Department.
In addition to Manatee Bay Elementary, other Broward County schools also achieved notable rankings at various robotics competitions. Silver Palms Elementary School scored among the top 10% of teams at the VEX IQ World Championship, while Coral Springs Middle School placed in the top 12%. These achievements underscore the strength and competitiveness of BCPS robotics teams on the global stage.
At the VEX Robotics U.S. Open CREATE National Competition in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Nova Eisenhower Elementary School finished in approximately the top third of all teams. This national championship saw 61 teams competing from across the country, highlighting the broad participation and high level of competition.
BCPS JROTC teams also excelled at the JROTC National Championship at VEX World in Dallas. South Plantation High School had two teams that scored among the top 12% and 19%, respectively. Monarch High School placed in the top 29%, Deerfield Beach High School in the top 30%, Dillard 6-12 in the top 45%, and Cypress Bay High School in the top 46%. These rankings reflect the dedication and skill of BCPS students in the JROTC program.
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn expressed his pride in the students’ achievements. “Competing in the national and world championships is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are so proud of these student teams. Reaching this elite level of competition requires an incredible amount of dedication. The students and their coaches work hard all year long perfecting their robots; participating in challenges at the local, regional, and state levels to qualify; and raising money for travel expenses. They did an outstanding job, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for them next season!”
The success of BCPS robotics teams demonstrates the district’s commitment to providing high-quality STEM education and the importance of supporting students in their pursuit of excellence. Congratulations to all the teams for their remarkable achievements!
