Arizona High School Robotics Teams Showcase Creativity and Collaboration at VEX State Championship

This weekend, Desert Ridge High School in Arizona became a hub of innovation as fifty high school robotics teams gathered for the VEX State Championship. The event aimed to qualify teams for the VEX World Championship in Dallas, scheduled for May 6-8.

From the intense competition, only seven teams earned spots by excelling in various categories including tournament champions, finalists, and design excellence. Notably, the state champions emerged as Aurora 937X and Desert Titan 8800T, both from Chandler. Aurora celebrated a repeat victory, and team member Katie Wong expressed her excitement, stating that the celebration was so energetic that her AirPod case fell to the ground.

“The whole thing is just so much fun,” Wong shared. “We still can’t believe that we just won state. Now we’re just excited for worlds.”

VEX, owned by Innovation First International, runs this global competition, which has entered its 19th season with over 20,000 teams worldwide. The championship features various divisions, accommodating students from elementary to high school levels. Teams progress through local, state, and national tournaments to ultimately reach the VEX Robotics World Championship each spring.

Among the competitors was sophomore Nick Novak from the team Nameless 66556Z, who transitioned from the VEX IQ division to V5. The team qualified as a tournament finalist and Novak noted their low expectations initially. “We didn’t win but we’re very satisfied with our performance,” he admitted.

The challenge of this year’s game mode, named High Stakes, keeps participants continually adapting. The tournament consists of three distinct phases, including an autonomous phase where robots are preprogrammed to navigate the field. The ensuing 90 seconds allows for user control, as teams position rings to maximize their score, utilizing strategic corners on the field.

The final seconds of the game offer teams the chance to earn bonus points by climbing a central ladder with their robot, emphasizing the need for diverse robotic skills and rigorous preparation.

Referee Charley Cope, whose sons inspired him to get involved, praised the student-led design process. “You can tell that the kids built their own robots,” he emphasized, highlighting student engagement and learning.

As competition brackets progressed, teams formed alliances, further enhancing the teamwork aspect of the event. Wong shared, “You also have to work with new people that you have never met before, which has helped me learn and improve.”

VEX competitions may seem daunting, yet they aim to foster interest in STEM fields among participants. Reports indicate that 95% of competitors express increased interest in STEM subjects. VEX lays the groundwork for future innovators, as emphasized by commentator Ben Miller, who noted the real-world skills gained through these experiences.

“A lot of these kids will go on to STEM programs,” Miller predicted, drawing from his own journey from high school competitor to mechanical engineer. The skills learned here offer promising futures for these young minds.