FAIRMONT, MINNESOTA — Dozens of elementary students from across Martin County, Minn., teamed up for an energetic robotics competition at Fairmont Elementary School the afternoon of Saturday, April 1st.
The event challenged the students to score points by having their robots remove discs from dispensers and propel them into goal zones. Teams were encouraged to work together during each 90-second match, finding ways to make the most of their robots varied specialties. Points were scored for each disc removed from a dispenser, and for the position of any discs within the goal zones at the end of the match.
This Martin County KnowHow! VEX IQ Robotics Competition saw 3rd & 4th graders from the Fairmont, Truman, Martin County West, Granada-Huntley-East Chain, and St. James Lutheran schools — more than 80 students across 27 teams — working together to face a friendly collaborative challenge. These students spent several weeks building and learning how to operate their VEX IQ robots, and were excited to put their hard work to the test.
After each team had the opportunity to hone their skills in 8 qualification matches, they were ranked based on their average scores. The qualification rankings were:
Three Mustkateers (MCW) — 59.67 points
Solar Bears (FMT) — 52.00 points
Wild Cards (FMT) — 51.83 points
Mustangs (MCW) — 50.33 points
Jags (TRU) — 47.33 points
Teal Turtles (FMT) — 45.33 points
VEX 2 Eck (MCW) — 44.67 points
Hot Dogs (FMT) — 44.17 points
Dying Twinkies (SJL) — 44.00 points
Dragon Girls (MCW) — 44.00 points
Three Amigos (GHEC) — 44.00 points
Banana (MCW) — 43.67 points
Five Fingers (MCW) — 42.33 points
Radio Heads (FMT) — 42.00 points
Cobra (FMT) — 42.00 points
Green Hosers (SJL) — 41.50 points
Hockey Pros (FMT) — 41.00 points
Stormy Pikachus (TRU) — 41.00 points
Wal-Mart (GHEC) — 37.50 points
Cheetahs (FMT) — 35.67 points
Jeffrey (TRU) — 34.67 points
Seal Team 6 (GHEC) — 34.67 points
Hackers Jr. (GHEC) — 33.67 points
Girl Power (MCW) — 33.33 points
Dragon Squad (MCW) — 31.00 points
Slays (GHEC) — 30.83 points
LCJ (GHEC) — 29.83 points
The teams were then paired up for single-match finals matches, and the top 3 team-ups were:
GOLD: Wild Cards (Fairmont) + Mustangs (Martin County West)
SILVER: Five Fingers (Martin County West) + Radio Heads (Fairmont)
BRONZE: Green Hosers (St. James Lutheran) + Cobra (Fairmont)
Thanks to all of the students who participated, their fans who came to cheer them on, all of our adult & student volunteers (including members of Fairmont Robotics’ Team 2847) who helped put on this event, and our generous sponsors! You’re all an important part of this fun application of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in our community.