Dating back to August, weeknight after weeknight, Alycia Graczyk’s 5th-grade classroom at MacArthur Elementary has transformed into a chaotic workshop full of child engineers.
At practice on Thursday, one team practices being interviewed for their research project, while two other teams complete programming changes to their robots. Music plays and all of the kids are having a great time playing together and problem-solving real STEM-related issues at the same time.
They are preparing for a competition. All three teams robotics teams at MacArthur Elementary have been working very hard to prepare for the VEX IQ World Championship Competition at the Kentucky Convention Center in Louisville in late April.
In four years, MacRobotics has never had a team move on to Worlds.
“The fourth-grade team placed in the top five last year. They were like ‘this year, we’re going to worlds’ and they are! Actually, they finished second place at state, and only lost by two points. They were so happy to be there,” explained Graczyk.
The teams experienced a lot of success in the state tournament in February. "D-Cubed", a team of fifth graders comprised of Dylan Bulla, Dominic Graegin, and Dakota Newberry won first place in the Teamwork Tournament of Champions.
Success is often fed by passion, and these kids have a lot of passion.
“My favorite part of competing is driving because it's just like playing a game at home but it's like you're actually doing that's actually educational while you’re doing something you like to do,” Dylan Bulla said.
The other teams took home great awards as well Big Bad Red comprised of Ryland Hochstetler, Michael Lamb, and Gregory Zellers received the 2nd Place Teamwork Challenge.
The Purple Dabbers, an all-female team of 4th graders with a purple robot, has Lilly Caddick, Alina Conley, Breanna Johnson, and Lila Pack on it. They took home the Judge's Amaze Award, which gave them their ticket to Worlds.
“They absolutely blew the judges away,” Graczyk said. “This is them doing this. The building and research are extensive, but we just support.”
There were 96 teams at the state competition, and there will be 287 teams at the international competition. “Teams from New Zealand, China and Japan will be there! ” Graczyk said. “It’s going to be a huge learning experience.”
It was with a lot of support that MacRobotics exists at all. “We’ve come so far in four years, and we could not have done it without the support of the Crown Point Community Foundation and other local businesses. We’re so thankful for their support.”
Normally, the season ended in February after state. This year, the practices have run into April, but no one seems to mind. Graczyk feels nothing but absolute excitement for her team.
“I have been so humbled to see their hard work pay off and their determination to be better. They are kids and it’s amazing to see they love this. I am excited and proud,” she said.
Good luck to all of the MacArthur Elementary School robotics teams!