Students have fun with science and technology at STEM-Robotics competition

Emma Hughes
Gila River Indian News

Sacaton Middle School Science Teacher and founder of the school’s Robotics STEM Club, JoEllen Kinnamon plays a big part in coordinating the Community’s Robotics Competition which was held at St. Peter’s Indian Mission School on Saturday, May 11.

Over the past several years, robotics clubs in the Community have grown in popularity, with SMS, Blackwater Community School, Gila Crossing Community School, and St. Peter Indian Mission School all hosting their own clubs.

Kinnamon, who helped organize the event and has been active in the Community’s robotics scene, said the STEM-Robotics Competition was held to bring all the Community’s schools together.

Previous years the competition was held at Sacaton Middle School but has been working to switch or rotate locations.

The competition began with qualifying events. In the mazing category, students attempted to navigate their robot vehicle through a series of twists and turns where teams and individuals had to calculate the angles at which their robot must turn. Also in this year’s competition was the drone field obstacle course.

Honeywell and Intel have been sponsors for STEM-Robotics to support the Community’s youth robotics programs and encourage Community students to enter STEM, robotics, and engineering fields.

“I’m glad to come out to these events like this, especially for the kids,” said Lt. Gov Stone. “It’s just great to see the kids involved in technology.”

Winners

EV3 Speed Racer Sensor & EV3 Mechanical Arm 6th Grade

1st Laura Joaquin

EV3 (Mechanical Arm) 7th Grade

1st Sky Pratt

2nd Brocc Pasqual & Jesus Mangunia

EV3 Sensor & EV3 Mechanical 8th grade

1st Lydia Norris

Drone Field Obstacle Course 8th/9th grade

1st Gracie Mark

2nd Aaron Montes

3rd Gerald VanHadenberg