Congratulations to the Midwest Robotics Club for their outstanding performance in the Wyoming 2023 FTC State Championship! Each of their Robotics teams, the Midwest Dastardly Unsavory Potatoes, Midwest Buckin’ Buccaneers, and the Midwest Mustangs, were congratulated on their gracious professionalism and exceptional showmanship during the competition.
Midwest Robotics Club is led by coaches Roni Mull and James Fulkerson. Coach Mull is proud of the innovation and creativity of the students, as they build robots entirely from scratch, “This program teaches students life skills. They are learning team cooperation, programming, engineering, problem-solving, and so many other critical skills.” During competitions, students work skillfully to keep the challenge requirements in mind while operating the robots to complete tasks, such as picking objects up and delivering them to specific locations on the track. In addition, students participate in small scrimmages with other school teams across the state, allowing them to fine-tune their robots for peak performance at the state competition.
A special congratulations, to Jeremy Liska, a sophomore at Midwest School, for being named the FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Semi-Finalist for the state of Wyoming! “The students who earn FIRST Dean’s List Award status as semi-finalist, finalist or winner, are great examples of student leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness of FIRST and its mission. These students have also achieved personal technical expertise and accomplishment. It is FIRST’s goal that these individuals will continue, post-award, as great leaders, student alumni, and advocates of FIRST.” (firstinspires.org)
Jeremy joined the robotics club as a freshman at Midwest and found a surprising passion, “I really joined because the teacher brought donuts every Friday. But once I actually got into it, I realized I really like this and became way more interested! I realized I could put my skills to work and work as a team and come together to make a beautiful robot.”
Students are nominated for this award by their teammates who recognize their leadership and teamwork. Midwest Robotics Coach Roni Mull says it was no surprise that Jeremy was nominated by his classmates, “Jeremy always goes the extra mile. He is here late, comes in early, and always takes everybody's viewpoint into consideration. He is focused on making the best team, and his gracious professionalism is outstanding.”
Robotics offers students the opportunity to learn aspects of engineering, physics, mathematics, reading, writing, coding, communications, and more. James Fulkerson, Midwest Robotics coach, has seen firsthand how the hands-on learning environment can benefit students, “Robotics changes the learning process, and students are in a hands-on learning environment that helps them excel in all aspects of education. Robotics can engage students that may not engage in the typical classroom setting. I’m proud of our Midwest robotics students. It’s been a great year.”
Midwest Schools is committed to creating opportunities for individual learning in an engaging and respectful setting. The Robotics Club is a shining example of this mission. Robotics Club provides opportunities for students to engage in fun, creative, hands-on learning exploring to further develop and discover their individual interests in STEM.
Congratulations Oilers!
#EverydayExcellence