Norfolk-area robotics teams compete on the world stage | Select
Norfolk robotics has become well known on the world stage in the past few years as area high school and middle school students are being recognized for their achievements in the field.
Two local robotics teams — composed of homeschooled students as well as students from Norfolk Public Schools and Norfolk Catholic — recently competed at the FIRST World Championships in Houston, where they both came away with awards.
The high school team, Rebel Robotics, earned the third-place divisional Inspire Award through the FIRST World Championships. The award is given to teams that best embody the “challenge” of the First Tech Challenge program, according to Rob Haake, who coaches both teams alongside his wife, Amber. The students were judged in such categories as robot design, programming, innovation and community outreach.
Meanwhile, the junior high team captured the Core Values finalist trophy through the First Lego League. The award is granted to teams that showcase passion and spirit while going out of their way to help others succeed, Rob Haake said. The Beat Bots’ robot also scored in the top 30% of all the machines in attendance.
The Rebel Robotics team said it was a wonderful experience to be recognized for the hours upon hours of work and dedication that were put into this year’s robot.
“Everything just came together and really inspired the people there,” said Josie Vilkas, a sophomore on the team. “It was just a really cool experience.”
Emmett Haake, team captain for Rebel Robotics, said it was a “dream come true” to win one of the Inspire awards.
“It was awesome for the team, but it would not have been possible if it was not for our sponsors, mentors and the people we were able to connect with to grow First Tech Challenge and robotic programs like it,” Emmett said.
Emmett also was awarded as a FIRST Dean’s List finalist. This award is given to the top four First Tech Challenge robotics students across Nebraska and Iowa. The students are measured through a recommendation and interview, said Rob Haake, adding that Emmett was recommended by Joe Lasser, an engineer from Nucor.
Micah Jensen, an eighth grader on the Beat Bots, said the competition was quite a meaningful experience for him and his teammates.
“It was cool to see all the teams from around the world and all the different designs of robots and different things like that,” Jensen said.
Seven students competed on the Rebel Robotics team: Senior Tayton Salmon, juniors Emmett Haake and Teagan Cleveland and sophomores Zachary Foecking, Braden Jensen, Nick Miller and Vilkas.
The Beat Bots also are made up of seven members: Jensen, seventh grader Teddy Haake, sixth grader Evelyn Ash, fifth graders Leo Haake and Jack Jensen and fourth graders Soloman Ash and Michael Miller.
Rebel Robotics qualified for worlds for the second straight year. For high school students like Emmett, this was their third time going to worlds, as they qualified through the First Lego League in middle school. Meanwhile it was the first time the students on this year’s Beat Bots team advanced to the world competition.
Vilkas said the championship showed just how much teams have grown in a year.
“I really loved this experience,” Vilkas said. “I felt like there was more growth this year even more than last year. This is my second year on the team so to be able to go again (and) to be able to see all the people from around the world, actually know more about robotics and be able to show how we spread STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in Nebraska to all these people and see how they’ve done the same in their community was just beneficial.”
Both teams qualifying for worlds is quite the feat. Rebel Robotics was one of 7,500 First Tech Challenge teams across the globe, with only 240 of them qualifying for the world championship. Additionally, out of the 35,000 First Lego League teams around the world, the Beat Bots were one of 160 to advance to worlds.
Emmett Haake said the accomplishment is all the more impressive as the team had to advance from the Nebraska and Iowa combined region, which is filled with stellar programs.
The Beat Bots not only met other teams from around the world, but they also worked alongside a couple of them. A part of the competition had the teams randomly placed with two others where they had one hour to brainstorm and adjust their robots to complete new missions. The Beat Bots were placed with teams from South Africa and Montana. They all advanced to the final round of the knockout tournament for a top-12 finish.
“It was really, really cool to be able to work with them,” Jensen said. “Both (teams) were really, really nice and they were awesome. I’m still in contact with everyone on the team. … We really worked well together and adapted.”
Jensen said through robotics he’s learned invaluable engineering skills like 3D design, problem solving and app creation. Teddy Haake added he also developed better communication skills, especially with people he may not as familiar with.
The students and their coaches credited the community for its support in mentoring and fundraising for the team. More than 50 companies and individuals donated to the team to help purchase robots parts and cover travel costs for the world championships.
“We have to start by thanking our key sponsors — Weiland Doors, Nucor, Elkhorn Valley Bank and Kawasaki,” Emmett Haake said. “Not only did they help us financially, but they also gave us pointers on things ranging from technical to soft skills. There are great people in those companies who really care about youth and want to see more STEM programs like this in Norfolk and across Nebraska. We can’t thank them enough.”
Amber Haake said robotics helps students “prepare them for the workforce” and more.
“Even with the communication skills that kids get, they can leave high school and not be afraid to walk into an interview because you have talked to judges so many times and answered questions,” she said. “They’re just comfortable. These are the skills that are really important that kids don’t always get.”
