DOWNEY – Stauffer Middle School’s Spartan Design robotics teams brought home two awards after traveling to Lancaster Oct. 8 to compete against 24 other robotics teams from around California.
The VEX Robotics Competition challenged teams to create an alliance of two robots that would work collaboratively complete a challenge called Starstruck, similar to the childhood game of jacks.
The object of the challenge to have the robots move all the stars -- or jacks -- to their opponent’s side in a 12x12-ft. arena.
Two teams competed from Stauffer Middle School and neither came home empty-handed: Spartan Design 2822B finished in second place overall, while team Spartan Design 2822F earned the Robot Skills Award, which is given to the team with the top combined programming and driving skills.
In addition to learning robotics, students who participate in the tournaments also learn academic and life skills, DUSD officials said.
“This competition continues to present incredible opportunities for these robotics students,” said DUSD Superintendent Dr. John Garcia. “These competitions provide them with the opportunity to compete with the best teams from around California, furthering the district’s vision to prepare students to be globally competitive.”