Kudos to local robotics teams

With the continued growth of and focus on STEM principles – not just in Franklin County but nationwide and around the world – it’s encouraging to see our local schools putting an ever-stronger focus on robotics programs.

We would like to extend a hearty “job well done” to all the students, teachers, parents and other volunteers involved in Tharptown Elementary’s first-ever robotics competition held earlier this month. To put on an event that welcomes so many students and requires the set up for robotics challenges is no easy feat, but TES proved it can hold its own when it comes to hosting a large-scale event like this.

Everyone who put in the time and effort to make this competition a reality deserves a pat on the back for their hard work and commitment to bringing it to fruition.

It’s also encouraging to take note of how many teams saw fit to participate in this event. We want to especially shine the spotlight on our local schools that competed. Red Bay, Vina and Belgreen elementary schools only began their robotics programs this year, and yet they were all able to boast teams competing in this local robotics challenge. Congratulations to the student teams that won their divisions, absolutely – but we are no less proud of those students who did not come out on top in this particular challenge. You should be proud of yourself for working hard, learning new things and putting your new knowledge to the test with your teammates. It might sound cliché, but it really is true: you are all winners.

We know these fledgling elementary robotics programs will be crucial to ensuring a continued interest in robotics at the high school level and even inspiring students to consider the many ways they can pursue robotics-related career fields – which could be anything from healthcare, to industry, to space exploration and more.

STEM disciplines like robotics are the current drivers of the global economy. They represent where the world is today and where the world is going. Thanks to the vision and dedication of local administrators and educators, Franklin County students will be able to stay on the cutting edge of STEM topics, starting as early as kindergarten.

We join the teachers coordinating robotics program at each school in hoping these programs continue to expand, attracting more and more students to perhaps discover skills and even passion for science, engineering, technology and mathematics.