Sumner County Schools was proud to once again host the middle and elementary state robotics tournament on Saturday, February 28. The event was sponsored by Meta’s Gallatin Data Center and Tennessee Valley Robotics, highlighting a strong partnership and a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in STEM education.
Around 300 students competed, with more than 800 visitors traveling to Sumner County for the event.
Each year, an engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game through the VEX Robotics Competition / VEX IQ Challenge. Students are tasked with building innovative robots and working in teams to develop strategy, refine design, and strengthen collaboration skills.
“Robotics allows students the opportunity to compete in a fun, collaborative environment while solving real world problems with a defined set of constraints,” Hendersonville High School Robotics Coach Jeff Wilkins said. “Using the design process, students learn to embrace failure as part of improvement while developing the employability skills of teamwork, documentation, communication and conflict resolution. Robotics is one of the most effective activities for preparing students to work in the real world equipping them with technical knowledge and professional skills they will use long after graduation.”
Beyond competition, robotics provides students with hands-on experience in programming while encouraging creativity and innovation at an early age.
“Hosting a state level event for the world’s largest robotics competition is a massive achievement,” Portland East Middle School Robotics Coach Dale Sadler said. “We are leading students in innovation while providing a high octane varsity sport for the mind.”
Sumner County Schools plans to host the state tournament again next year.
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