BISD Schools Face-Off In Robotics Competition

Jayden Hallett

1/17/24

During the first week of January, all three high schools in BISD held a robotics competition against each other at the BECS gym next door to New Tech. Together, the high schools put together a total of 14 teams that all competed for the grand prize, a stuffed animal of the other schools mascots. 

The robotics program at BISD works with a company called VEX, and each year they arrange a new competition for schools to compete in, with this year’s competition being named “Over Under”. “We take these acorn-shaped balls, and try to get them to one side of the field,” said Mr. Tysor, the robotics director at New Tech, “while two other robots [are] trying to keep you from getting [the balls].” 

Each team had to design their own robots completely from scratch, using only the VEX materials provided. When asked how teams handled making their robots, Mr. Tysor said, “When they are built in the classroom, there is no competition, and they don’t get run into each other, so really how sturdy they are… and how fast you can repair it.”

Students enjoyed the competition the tournament provided, and liked overcoming the challenges they faced. “We had a problem with the motors overheating, but otherwise everything went mostly smooth.”

Multiple teams at New Tech got to semi-finals or finals, with New Tech eventually taking the win and getting the other high schools mascots as plushies, now proudly displayed in the robotics hanger.

Asher, Davin and Chinonso, students here at New Tech, helped lead our campus to the win, taking us all the way to finals. New Tech will be participating in another robotics competition on January 27th at Lake Belton High School, and another one held on the New Tech campus on February 10th. Robotics students are already working hard to be as prepared as they can, and hopefully take us to another win!