Robotic competition gives East Texas students hands-on STEM experience | Local News
The Gregg County Historical Museum organized a competition Wednesday to provide area students with hands-on experience in robotics and engineering — skills that museum leaders say often are out of reach because of financial constraints.
More than 40 students from Pine Tree and Big Sandy high schools were on hand for Wednesday’s Ready, Set, FLY! Robotic Competition. It featured a range of tasks designed to test the students’ problem-solving abilities and technical prowess.
Cheers and applause filled the room as each team members took turns using their robotic creations to launch plastic balls through the air with points awarded when the balls landed in buckets stationed at varying heights and distances.
Gracen Grahan of Big Sandy High School reacts as his team’s robot misses its target during the Ready, Set, FLY! Robotic Competition Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Gregg County Historical Museum. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal Photo)
“Looking at the demographics of Gregg County, a majority of our students live below the poverty threshold,” said Jennifer White, education coordinator for the museum. “A lot of that is because they don’t have access to STEM careers that provide a way out of that cycle they’re trapped in, so we’ve taken on the goal during our last two events of incorporating STEM activities.”
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration skills. STEM prepares students for a wide range of careers in fields such as computer science, engineering, healthcare, environmental science and more.
At the end of Wednesday’s competition, the robotics program from Pine Tree High School earned the $500 first place prize as well as an additional $100 for third place with Big Sandy High School taking home $250 for their second place finish.
Carlie Nelms of Pine Tree High School makes some modifications to her team’s robot during the Ready, Set, FLY! Robotic Competition Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Gregg County Historical Museum. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal Photo)
“We’ve been fortunate to partner with Komatsu who are providing the cash awards to the schools’ robotics programs so they can expand and bring in more students,” White said.
Beyond the thrill of competition, White said the event serves as a platform for the students to showcase their talents, and she hopes the Longview museum can continue providing similar opportunities for students, empowering them to unlock their full potential as the innovators of tomorrow.
“I want them to show what they can do and to be rewarded for their work,” White said.
The museum has set its next STEM Action Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 18. During the free event, children will use their imagination and creativity to make flying shoeboxes.
