Olivia Spencer
Left to right, Mrs. Kristen Martin, Assistant Coach, Baylee Stamper , Liam Floyd, Brady Napier, Karlee Singleton, Mrs. Danielle Matlock, Coach.
Our student reporter Olivia Spencer shares with us an update on the robotics team at Central Elementary.
First Lego League Robo Panthers
According to Mrs. Danielle Matlock, the Central Elementary Robotics team coach, FIRST LEGO League Robotics was founded in 1998. However, Central Elementary has only had a team for approximately 10 years. The team members are my friends and I was interested to learn about the Central Elementary Robotics team. I interviewed the Robo Panthers as they prepared to compete in the state competition this weekend through Zoom.
To prepare for the interview, I planned five questions to ask the team. First I asked, “How long have you been doing robotics?”
The team discussed their answers and Karlee, the lead programmer responded, “This is the first year on the team for each of us.”
“What skills and requirements are needed to be on the robotics team?” I asked.
“You must have good grades and you cannot have any office referrals. Skills needed are coding, teamwork, and higher order thinking skills,” responded Mrs. Matlock, the team coach.
“What do you do on a robotics team?” I asked.
Baylee replied, “ We build a robot, code it to do the challenges, and make a skit. My role on the team is to write the skit.”
“How long did it take to make the robot?” I asked.
“It took three to four practices. Each practice lasts an hour to an hour and a half,” Brady responded.
Finally I asked, “How are you feeling about the upcoming state competition?”
Liam replied, “I feel good about it. Even if we lose, I love being on the robotics team.”
Mrs. Martin, the assistant coach, answered, “I am excited. They are going to do great! They won 2nd in the regional competition and they have added some more missions which gives more points.”
As shown in their responses, members of the Robo Panthers enjoy participating in robotics. Being on the robotics team teaches members patience, teamwork, higher order thinking skills, and coding. The Robo Panthers represent our school well and we are fortunate to have a robotics team. They make Central Elementary very proud! Join me in wishing the Robo Panthers good luck in the state competition.