Windy Hill robotics team finishes in top 10 at championships – Daily Commercial

By Christie Gilpin Christie.gilpin@dailycommercial.com

CLERMONT Four wide-eyed Windy Hill Middle School sixth-graders and their robot walked into a Kentucky arena filled with more than 1,400 students this past week and came out ranked 7th in their division of 70 teams. Not a small feat for their first trip to the World Championships.

The tenth annual VEX Robotics World Championship brought together the top 1,400 student-led robotics teams from around the world to Louisville, Kentucky, April 19-25 to compete and show off their skills.

About 300 middle school teams participated and were broken down into four divisions of 70 schools. The top 20 schools competed in the final round.

Other Lake County teams also competed including: Leesburg High School finishing 64 out of 94 teams, Carver Middle and Minneola Charter finishing 30 out of 71 teams, Eustis Heights Elementary finishing 61 out of 68 teams and Fruitland Park finishing 30 out of 70 teams.

The kids walk into this big arena where there are pit areas for them to work on the (robots) and practice along with the field. I think I was more nervous than they were, said Windy Hill Middle Introduction to Technology Teacher Joseph Govoeck. But this is one of the most experienced teams I have had, and they are ready for next year.

The teams need a combination of skills using knowledge from all different courses.

It takes a combination of skills. The kids use math, science, energy and power technology and engendering to build their robots, said Govoeck.

Johnathan Everett, Mattias Peroni, Ethan Loden and Derek Romaguera, under Grovoecks guidance, worked together to build a robot that could work the challenge course of moving orange and blue pieces from each end of the field to earn points.

It was very enjoyable and fun seeing all the people from all the places all around the world, exclaimed Everett, who said he had a great time.

The school Robotics club has 16 members with another dozen or so students that like to come from time to time because they want to learn. The group meets once a week, and the individual teams of four meet more often.

The teams are free to come in and work during lunch, before school, after school, whenever they want. I am just here to offer advice. They are really a great self-starting group of students, said Govoeck. Its what I am most proud of the robots are 100 percent student-designed and built.

The boys competed in five local challenges and earned a bid to the state completion held in February in Tampa. At the state completion, while they didnt win, they did earn points to qualify for a wild card spot at the world competition.

The four boys arent sitting back on their accomplishment this year.

They unveiled next years challenge at the end of the world competition, and as we were walking out the kids were already designing their robot for next year, said Govoeck.

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Windy Hill robotics team finishes in top 10 at championships - Daily Commercial