McIntire Elementary Robotics Clubs to Compete Nationally – WHIZ

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A group of 5th and 6th graders are excelling at showcasing the Zanesville City Schools STEAM education program on the world stage.

STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, which the school’s robotics program fits into perfectly. And 6th Grade John McIntire Elementary Robotics Team Member Gianna Pozzulli explained how the program integrates written and drawn instructions with hands-on, problem solving to learn the laws of science. 

“I think that we learn a lot of problem and solution skills because when our robot has a malfunction or when it isn’t working, then we have to try to figure out what’s wrong with it and figure out how we can fix it and through that we also learn a lot of teamwork because we have to all agree on a solution and we have to work together to complete it,” Pozzulli said.

6th Grade Robotics Team Member Michael Emmert shared how the program helps build confidence and how the teams are fortunate to have the opportunity to compete at such a high level.

“I think it’s a really nice opportunity to have,” Emmert said. “Especially when you have teams that are qualified and are able to go to World’s and they’re not able to. Cause like Zanesville has a funding where we’re able… it’s paid and that’s a really nice thing to have cause a lot of people aren’t able to go. And a lot of people are good enough to go. And it’s really… It’s a nice opportunity to be able to go to Dallas.”

All Three of the John McIntire Elementary teams finished in the top five at the state robotics competition, which allows them to advance to the Vex Robotics World Championship competition, which will take place next week in Dallas, Texas.