Indiana Robotics Championship to be Held Virtually
(photo courtesy of the TechPoint Foundation for Youth)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship will be a virtual event on March 6. The initiative, which is hosted by TechPoint Foundation for Youth in Indianapolis, will feature the top 245 Indiana teams from elementary, middle, and high schools as they compete to advance to the VEX Robotics World Championship.
TechPoint says Indiana has more elementary and middle schools participating in VEX IQ robotics programs than any other in the U.S. Since 2016, TPF4Y says it has focused on growing robotics programs in Indiana’s elementary, middle and high schools.
As growth continues, TPF4Y has expanded its grant offerings into high school.
“The purpose for the expansion into high school is to assure that students who start in robotics at the elementary or middle school level have a pathway to continue as they move on to high school,” said President George Giltner. “Robotics is the best way to help prepare students for the real world so we are making sure we are doing our part to help grow that talent pipeline as they get ready to enter the workforce.”
The foundation says robotics teams help reinforce science, technology, engineering and math skills, which are important for jobs of the future.
“TechPoint Foundation for Youth, with the support of our partners, has helped Indiana lead the nation in elementary and middle school robotics teams,” said Giltner. “The students of these robotics teams will become the leaders of tomorrow. By helping provide a pathway from elementary to middle school and now high school, we are able to nurture the passion the students have for STEM. With the end goal of a robotics team in every school, the Indiana workforce of the future is looking bright.”
Through the State Robotics Initiative, TPF4Y provides grants, professional development for teachers, and the largest state robotics competition in the U.S. for Indiana schools and students.
The foundation says the pandemic has caused a shift in the normal proceedings for this year’s event, which is why TPF4Y made the decision to host the event virtually.