Youth Center Robotics Team: The Jayhawks Prepare for Magnolia Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
Exciting news for the Youth Center’s robotics team! (is this the first year they are doing this?) The Jayhawks, Team 10309, are gearing up for an intense competition as they head to the Magnolia Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in Laurel, MS, from March 13-15 to compete against some of the best teams in the region and showcase their skills and passion for robotics.
About the Jayhawks (Team 10309):
The Jayhawks are a group of 8 driven, creative, and hardworking students age 15-18 who have spent the last 3 months designing, building, and programming their robot. Their journey has been one of teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation as they prepare for the intense competition challenges. The team members have worked together and met twice a week to overcome obstacles and learn new skills, all while having fun and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Jayhawks are led by mentor, Sophie. She currently is a Rec Aid at the Youth Center and was on a FIRST Robotics team of her own in high school. Sophie brings her firsthand experience to the team and is “excited to be involved in the program on the mentor side of things.”
What is FIRST Robotics?
FIRST Robotics is a global competition that brings together high school students to design, build, and program robots to compete in various challenges. Teams are tasked with creating a robot that can perform specific tasks within a limited time frame, fostering innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The competition encourages students to explore careers in STEM while gaining valuable hands-on experience. FIRST Robotics also emphasizes values like collaboration, learning, and gracious professionalism, helping students develop important life skills.
The Magnolia Regional FIRST Robotics Competition:
The Magnolia Regional Competition is a FIRST Robotics event with 42 teams from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. Teams will compete, showcasing their best designs, strategies, and teamwork. The Jayhawks will partake in a series of matches and challenges, demonstrating their robot’s capabilities and ability to work together under pressure!
What’s at Stake:
The Magnolia Regional Competition is a key step toward the FIRST Robotics Championship, with teams competing for a chance to advance. A select number of teams from each regional event qualify for the FIRST Championship. While the experience itself is valuable, the competition also offers opportunities for scholarships, mentorship, and recognition in the world of robotics and STEM education.
Good luck to Team 10309, the Jayhawks!
Keep up with the Jayhawks’ progress at the Magnolia Regional FIRST Robotics Competition on social media at ColumbusAFBLiving, and stay tuned for updates on how they perform in the competition!
For more information on the FIRST Robotics Competition, or to support the Jayhawks, contact the Youth Center at (662) 434-2504!
Let’s show the Jayhawks some support and root for them as they take on this exciting competition!
