Video: Future Engineers Compete In Robotics Competition

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Several New Hope High School students are part of a team called the “Vexecutors.”

As robots from other schools battle it out on the mat, the “Vexecutors” are tweaking one of their entries, in this year’s area wide robotics competition. They know what it will take if they hope to capture the title of state champions, for a third straight year.

“A lot of practice, and hard work and effort,” said NHHS Senior Katy Soule.

Twenty five teams from eight area high schools took part in the annual competition. Using a Vex Robotics Kit, each team designs, builds and tests robots for the event.

Each match tests their skills in a 15 second autonomous portion, and a minute 45 driver control contest. Whichever team is able to get its robot to pick up, and toss stars, and cubes over a fence, will win.

Although they have practiced a lot, there are challenges on game day.

“You get mixed up a lot and the robots hit each other, sometimes and it slows you down a lot,” said Josh Neal, a sophomore at the Monroe County Career and Technical Center.

Each team has anywhere from 3 to five members. Instructors say the competition has many applications and benefits.

“Teamwork is imperative in the real world, whether in college, or a job, they learn a lot about, even if I don’t always get along with my teammate I still have to work with them and that’s real world right there,” said NHHS engineering and robotics teacher Tracy Doyle.

By hosting the contest, many students are exposed to the community college.

“We love hosting the competition and getting to show our facility to students as well as degree fields we offer,” said ICC instructor Ashley Brown.

The top three teams advance to the state competition next year.

ICC has hosted the competition the past five years.