A VEX Robotics team from John Hanson Middle School, the We’re Vexy and We Know It team, advances to the 2016 VEX Worlds – VEX Robotics Competition in April after receiving a top award at the state event held Feb. 20. The team of seventh graders Yachi Madaan, Alyssa Norris, Andrew Parent and Jacob Stern received the Design Award among competing middle school teams. This award is given to a team that demonstrates an organized and professional approach to the design process, project and time management and team organization.
As recipients of the Design Award, the team will compete in the world championship event April 20-23 in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This year’s challenge, titled “Nothing But Net,” is divided into qualifying rounds, team alliance selection rounds and elimination rounds in which teams maneuver their robots in a 12-foot-by-12-foot square field. The object of the challenge is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by scoring balls and bonus balls in low and high goals, and by elevating robots to established climbing zones.
The team advanced to the state event after receiving the Design Award at the regional competition. The 2016 VEX Worlds event is presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and will feature top robotics teams from across the United States.
Daniel Meltsner is the team coach and teaches technology education at Hanson. In addition to the We’re Vexy and We Know It team, Meltsner coaches three other VEX robotics teams at Hanson. An additional team, the S.C.A.M. team, received the Sportsmanship Award at the state event. This award is given to the team that earns the respect and admiration from volunteers and other competing teams. Teams are chosen for being courteous, helpful and respectful and demonstrating excitement and enthusiasm throughout the event.
The S.C.A.M. team includes Hanson seventh grader Ryann Brown and eighth graders Michael Mazuc, Liliana Sachsel and Jacob Smith.
Teams from Piccowaxen Middle School also competed at the state event after qualifying at the regional level. A total of 24 teams from Maryland competed at the state level.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,300 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Pamela K. Murphy, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
