By: Dannah Johnson
The robotics team is where students apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts to problem solving while learning an overall sense of teamwork. Students collaborate using engineering design processes in building, programming, and driving robots using VEX robotics materials and software, that incorporate STEM concepts.
“The VEX IQ robotics team challenge is such a rewarding opportunity for kids to learn real-life technological and engineering skills,” said Karen Bishop, one of the coaches at Cedar Bluff. She, along with her husband, Steve Bishop, organized the robotics middle school teams, competing last year for the first time.
The Bishops were excited as the Techno Tigers finished sixth overall.
Mr. Bishop was inspired to start the Cedar Bluff team after Mrs. Bishop helped organize and sponsor Centre Middle School teams.
“When Karen taught at CMS, she initiated and co-sponsored robotics; they even won the state and went to world’s twice,” Steve said. Since the Bishop family was consistently at robotics competitions, their son Isaac, once asked, “Why can’t we have robotics at our school?” From this, idea of Cedar Bluff robotics was born.
Mrs. Bishop joined the Cedar Bluff family two years ago.
The Bishops have worked with robotics coaches at other schools through meetings and grant proposals to help expand robotics in the district. “Cherokee County is highly represented in robotics,” Mr. Bishop elaborated. “We could not have done it without the support and efforts of Randy Smith, former district supervisor, and Lee Bailey, federal programs specialist. For the past three years, Randy and Lee were staunch advocates for robotics programs in Cherokee County. We cannot thank them enough for their tireless efforts on behalf of our county robotics teams.”
Robotics, according to Mrs. Bishop, helps with educational opportunities that last beyond the team experience.. “Alabama continues to be a STEM-focused state with all the manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and other technical businesses,” Mrs. Bishop said.
“Yet, we lag behind in providing computer science and STEM educational opportunities for our students.”
According to Mr. Bishop, robotics after school does not take the place of actual daily courses in robotics, programming, and engineering, but it does help bridge those gaps, exposing students to new future career avenues.
“Though our school has not had the funding to initiate robotics as part of the curriculum like other school systems, robotics teams have given our students a new STEM educational opportunity that would not have otherwise been offered.”
Cedar Bluff’s robotics experiences actually proliferate the elementary and middle school through the after school program. “With the invaluable assistance of Laura Brown, coordinator for our Twenty-first Century Program, we have been able to incorporate robotics club for our after school kids, giving them hands-on STEM experiences,” said Mrs. Bishop.
This exposure has been instrumental in increasing the interest in robotics. Now, Cedar Bluff is adding two new elementary competition teams.
“We are so excited that Jennifer Sawyer said last year she would love to come on board as a coach of a new team,” Mrs. Bishop said. In addition, April Poss, who previously coached robotics at another school, is now at Cedar Bluff and will be coaching, too.
While Cedar Bluff is a small rural Title 1 school, the teams compete with larger, more affluent schools, many of which incorporate robotics in their school offerings.
Still, Cedar Bluff students demonstrated exceptional competition spirit, quality driver and programming skills, leading to that sixth place state ranking.
Throughout the season, the teams meet once per week and multiple days as competitions approach.
“It takes enormous dedication, an exceptional team-minded spirit, and continued hard work,” Mr. Bishop said.
“However, the rewards are immeasurable.”
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