Bluestem Middle School in Omaha Public Schools is sending a team to the VEX Robotics World Championships for the first time in about a decade. Coach Sheri Cohen Vollmer has been guiding the six dedicated students from the new school as they work hard on their robot. Initially, there were 36 interested students, but only 6th and 7th graders remain on the team as eighth graders have yet to populate the school.
The VEX challenge this year involves creating a robot no larger than 18x18x18 inches and scoring points by getting “tri-balls” into the opposite goal. The students start with basic materials like nuts, bolts, and metal, and have to build and program the robot on their own. Despite facing setbacks like having to dismantle their robot due to size restrictions, the team persevered.
Coach Cohen Vollmer describes robotics as the “sport of failing forward,” emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes. The focus for the team is not just on winning but on having fun and learning from the experience. By participating in robotics, the students are not only gaining technical skills but also valuable life lessons such as perseverance, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.