By Rita Brooks
Robots built by high school students threw balls, navigated walls and raced against the clock in the Bayou Regionals FIRST Robotics Competition in Kenner, Louisiana. This year’s theme was “Deep Space.”
NEC students put their engineering and teamwork skills to the test with the help of mentors, Entergy and NASA. “Pepe’ the robot, short for Pepperoni, was named for a pizza box-shaped chassis box the team used to start the project,” explained Noah Bumgarner.
Robotics tournaments encourage the development of math, engineering, and team-management skills in high school students. “I enjoyed the experience and I am looking forward to next year, said Kya Mathis, media specialist.
The Geek Squad made up of 14 Natchez Early College @ Co-Lin students, built the robot in 8 weeks. They receive guidelines and support from students at Vicksburg High School. Each team member was assigned a role; Noah Bumgardner, driver; Reise Blanton, wiring; Timothy Blalock, technician; Porsha Brown, lawyer of rules; Chelsey Ellis, head engineer; Israelii Franklin, engineer; Riyanna Franklin, safety captain; Tykerria Wilkins; human player; Bryan Castaneda, co-driver; Joshua Stewart, drive coach; Aarion Johnson, ambassador; Grace Knight, ambassador; Kya Mathis, media specialist; Alexia Green; programmer, and Kristinnity Carter, co-technician.
Tamika Lett, project mentor hopes the experience of planning and programming a 70-pound robot leads the students to engineering careers. Students also learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and the business skills they’ll need to thrive.
Robots built by high school students threw balls, navigated walls and raced against the clock in the Bayou Regionals FIRST Robotics Competition in Kenner, Louisiana. This year’s theme was “Deep Space.”
NEC students put their engineering and teamwork skills to the test with the help of mentors, Entergy and NASA. “Pepe’ the robot, short for Pepperoni, was named for a pizza box-shaped chassis box the team used to start the project,” explained Noah Bumgarner.
Robotics tournaments encourage the development of math, engineering, and team-management skills in high school students. “I enjoyed the experience and I am looking forward to next year, said Kya Mathis, media specialist.
The Geek Squad made up of 14 Natchez Early College @ Co-Lin students, built the robot in 8 weeks. They receive guidelines and support from students at Vicksburg High School. Each team member was assigned a role; Noah Bumgardner, driver; Reise Blanton, wiring; Timothy Blalock, technician; Porsha Brown, lawyer of rules; Chelsey Ellis, head engineer; Israelii Franklin, engineer; Riyanna Franklin, safety captain; Tykerria Wilkins; human player; Bryan Castaneda, co-driver; Joshua Stewart, drive coach; Aarion Johnson, ambassador; Grace Knight, ambassador; Kya Mathis, media specialist; Alexia Green; programmer, and Kristinnity Carter, co-technician.
Tamika Lett, project mentor hopes the experience of planning and programming a 70-pound robot leads the students to engineering careers. Students also learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and the business skills they’ll need to thrive.