STEM Robotics Challenge (SRC) teams from Holland Elementary attended the SRC Judges Training session held May 7 at the school. The Robocops, Robonauts and Whiz Kids, SRC Teams from Holland, joined trainers and the 29 event judges to practice for the SRC competition being held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center May 31. Fifty VBCPS schools (26 of them elementary) will put their intricately-designed robots to the test at the competition.
The SRC is an example of how teachers, staff, volunteers, mentors and community partners work together to support student achievement. Numerous businesses and partnership organizations have supported the SRC all year as event sponsors and technical advisers, providing expertise and resources to schools on a consistent basis. In addition, members of the military community and staff at local engineering and science-related companies will serve as judges at the SRC event. Each SRC team has put together an electronic portfolio chronicling their experiences in preparing for the STEM Robotics Challenge as they follow the eight-step engineering design process. The e-portfolios give teams an opportunity to showcase the strengths of their design as well as communicate the reasons for their design elements.
VBCPS is garnering national attention for its work with the STEM Robotics Challenge. Just last week, The Institute for Competitive Workforce (ICW), a program of the US Chamber of Commerce, posted a guest article written by Dr. Pat Konopnicki, Director of Technical and Career Education for the school division. The article highlights the division’s efforts to improve the quality, access and real-world relevance of STEM education across all grade levels.
“Robotics is being used in many classrooms across the world to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics education,” Konopnicki said. “The ongoing challenge for VBCPS is to continue to bring this type of STEM excitement and reach all 85 schools.”
To learn more about the SRC or the numerous Career and Technical STEM Education programs offered throughout the division, visit vbschools.