Fourteen MPISD robotics teams representing E.C. Brice, Frances Corprew, Vivian Fowler, P.E. Wallace, and Mount Pleasant Junior High competed in the Texas Youth Robotics Alliance competition on Saturday, December 2 at Sulphur Springs Middle School. The competition featured 30 teams of elementary and middle school students from the surrounding area. And at the end of the day, the Creative Coders made up of Bruno De La Hoya and Damian Martinez from Fowler and Cristian De La Hoya from Wallace placed 2nd giving MPISD its very first trophy in robotics competitions.

At the end of three qualification matches, the top 16 teams advanced to the final’s tournament, including seven of the fourteen MPISD teams. Advancing to finals were the Amazing Spartans from Brice (Cesar Munoz, Jamari Meeks, Isaac Gomez), the Brice Bandits (Kade Jackson, Josiah McNary, Mason Diaz, Carter Chavez), The Capybara Band from Brice (Heasley Reyes, Avalyn Netro, Anna Henry, Judah Deal), the Creative Coders from Fowler (Bruno De la Hoya, Damian Martinez, Cristian De La Hoya), the Brilliant Builders from Fowler (Mallory Mancera and Zuley Banda), the Cognibots from Corprew (Jaime Gallardo, Josue Pintor, Carmelo Green and Leonardo Canada), and the Rangers from Wallace (Jake Jones, Teyten Mettlen, Carter Cameron, Thatcher Drange).

Also competing for MPISD were the Brice Roboteers (Elizabeth Merino, Kaylyn Andrade, Paisley Hamilton, Sua Rosales), the Terrific Tigers from Fowler (Braedyn Reynolds and Aaron Mendoza), the Corprew Titans (Aryana Knieriem, Nylah Bell, Valeria Palacios, Abigale Yoder), the Circuit Breakers from Corprew (Allison Castaneda, Steven Lopez, Valeria Pineda, Draxton Craddock), the Blue Socks from Wallace (Wyatt Garey, Sebastian Sheppard, Keegan Holmes, Ranger Johnston), The Coders from Wallace (Kobe Duenez, Luis Fernando, Jimmy Gonzales), and The Hamburgers from MPJH (Omar Castaneda, Aiden Lane, Heymar Rivera).

The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) uses the robotics contest problem set, Hi, Bye Pizza Pie, that challenges teams to design a robot to help them gather ingredients, make pizzas, and provide delivery service. Matches consist of two periods: a 30-second autonomous period followed by a 90-second driver-controlled period. During the 30-second autonomous period, robots move on their own according to programs entered by the students to accomplish predetermined tasks and earn points. During the 90-second driver-controlled period, teams remotely control their robot to accomplish tasks and earn points. At the end, referees assess points and calculate the total match score. In MPISD, students in the elementary and middle school Robotics program construct their robots from the ground up, design what they want it to look like, program it to complete certain tasks, and learn to drive it using VEX IQ Robotic kits with remote controls.

The MPISD Robotics teams will compete again at Clarksville High School on February 15. They are coached by Tara Flores at Wallace Middle School and Mount Pleasant Junior High and Jamie King at the elementary campuses.

Photo:

The Creative Coders (L to R) Damian Martinez, Cristian De La Hoya, Fowler teacher Cendy Zuñiga, Fowler teacher Sisi Aguilar, Bruno DeLaHoya