Sun Ridge Middle School earned the top team Inspire Award at ROBOCOM X, the Socorro Independent School District's annual robotics competition on Jan. 6 in the main gym at Pebble Hills High School.
First through third place team winners also emerged at the competition in three categories -- innovation, robot games and robot design.
During the competition, students took on the robotics challenge, going head-to-head with the robots they programmed and trained with during months of work in the classroom and after school.
The competition allowed elementary and middle school students to immerse themselves in real-world science and technological challenges, as per FIRST LEGO League (FLL) rules.
The Sun Ridge team, ST34Mers, were excited to win the top prize at the competition and team coach David Justo praised his students for their accolades. In particular, he said team leader and eighth-grader Zoe Villela’s tenacity was the driving force in the ST34Mers’ success.
“With our leader’s guidance, Zoe @ejbencomo, the ST34MERS earned their spot at FLL UTEP regionals, placed 2nd Place Robot Design, and won BEST Overall of SISD Robocom X,” Justo posted on the social media platform X. “Proud Coach. #TeamSISD #Tenacity @SRMS_Generals.”
The 10th annual districtwide robotics contest theme was "Masterpiece," which challenged student teams to present projects that showcase how technology and art can intertwine to support hobbies.
"We're really excited to be celebrating our 10th year of ROBOCOM," said Stephanie Carrasco, coordinator for Advanced Academics in SISD. "Today's focus is on the integration of the arts, hobbies, and technology and how together they can be combined to increase the enjoyment for others," Carrasco said. "We are happy to have the whole community come together to support our kids and give them opportunities to move forward in STEM."
More than 40 teams from SISD elementary, PK-8, and middle schools participated, and all high schools had students supporting the event, serving as referees and contest starters. Different teams competed in the six rounds of the competition.
The competition marked the second year Marcus Gomez, a fifth-grade student at Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary, and his twin brother, Liam Gomez, participated in the annual event.
"It's really cool to be here competing with my brother because we worked really hard for this, and though we didn't win, it was great to spend time with each other, as well as family and friends," Marcus Gomez said. "I like robotics because it opens up my creativity. Robots are really cool because you can build different things while competing and develop teamwork."
Liam Gomez said his team had improved significantly since last year, and he and his brother only intend to improve.
"I enjoy coding and being a part of a team," Liam Gomez said. "Robotics is so much fun and something I would definitely want to keep doing."
Stephanie Salcedo, a sixth-grade student at Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School, said she was nervous before the competition, but once it began, she relaxed because she enjoys robotics.
"I like competing because I get to work in a team and learn new skills," Salcedo said.
Twenty-five teams from ROBOCOM X have advanced to the regional competition hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso on Jan. 27. The teams will have the opportunity to be invited to different invitationals across the country and/or advance to the state competition.
2024 ROBOCOM X Winners
Inspire Award
Sun Ridge Middle School, ST34Mers
Innovation
1st Place – Eastlake Middle School, RavenTech Robotics
2nd Place – John Drugan School, Dragon Knights
3rd Place – Bill Sybert School, Showstopping Scorpions
Robot Games
1st Place – Eastlake Middle School, RavenTech Robotics
2nd Place – Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School, CVR
3rd Place – John Drugan School, DragonBots
Robot Design
1st – Benito Martinez Elementary School, Robotgination
2nd Pace – Sun Ridge Middle School, ST34Mers 3rd Place – Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary School, RoboRattlers