Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dawson Payne, a member of Smith Elementarys Vex IQ Robotics team, works on the teams robot at Smith Elementary in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Local elementary schools students are headed to a state robotics competition, despite this being their rookie season.

The Sonic Cyborgs from Smith Elementary will compete at the Indiana State Robotics Championship for Vex Robotics teams at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. The Cyborgs, which are in their first year, compete at the VEX IQ Elementary level. The team is made up of fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

The kids have given a lot of time and a lot of effort and energy, said Lisa Haines, a STEM teacher at Smith and one of the teams coaches.

Im very surprised how well this seasons gone, said lead coach Kyle Weidner. The kids have just done an amazing job, considering at the beginning of the season, we didnt really know anything, with it being our first year. And theyve learned a lot, and Ive learned a lot as well.

This years VEX IQ Competition game is called Slapshot. Points are scored by getting robots to unload discs from dispensers, launch these discs across the field and stretch across fences to touch contact zones.

Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points, the rules state. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

According to TechPoint Foundation for Youth, which hosts the state championship, 130 Vex IQ Elementary teams will compete at state, and 84 will be awarded invitations to the world championship. There will be 71 of the world qualifiers determined based on 47 performance awards and 24 judged awards. An additional 13 teams will be selected based on their skill standings.

I feel good about it, said fifth grader Dawson Payne, who is one of the teams co-captains. I think we could maybe go to world.

Haines said that the Cyborgs could be one of the teams invited to the world championship if students keep up the good work, but even just going to state on their first year is huge.

She also said that she appreciates the collaborative nature of VEX and the values it imparts to students.

I liked the idea of them having to work with other teams and other people that youve just recently just met or encountered at an event and trying to problem-solve and come up with strategies and plans, she said. Its a very different kind of competition. I wouldnt even call it a competition as much as a collaboration.

When asked what she likes best about being on the team, sixth grader and co-captain Hannah Weidner replied, I like inspiring people and helping them out on the team.

She expressed both nervousness and excitement about the upcoming championship.

Haines said that shes glad that students will get to compete at a major venue like the Indianapolis stadium and get the recognition they deserve.

I want them to feel like the rock stars that they really are, she said.

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On to state: Sonic Cyborgs prepare for robotics championship - The Republic