MacArthur captures state title in VEX IQ Robotics – Chicago Tribune

Excitement ruled MacArthur Elementary School as the school's MacRobotics team walked away with the State Championship in VEX IQ CrossOver Challenge. After four hours of competition, Dylan Bulla, Dominic Graegin, and Dakota Newberry emerged victorious, placing first in the Teamwork Tournament of Champions. The school has won a combined 12 of these awards.

Two additional teams at the Crown Point school scored highly in the competition. The 4th grade team, 10277C consisting of Ryland Hochstetler, Michael Lamb, and Gregory Zellers had a great showing and received 2nd Place Teamwork Challenge trophy.

MacArthur didn't stop there. Team 10277D was the all-girl team made up of Lilly Caddick, Alina Conley, Breanna Johnson, and Lila Pack. Not to be left out they grasped the attention of the judges and won the Judge's Amaze Award. The award reflected their outstanding teamwork, robust design and all-around respect for robotics and engineering.

MacArthur Principal Marian Buchko said, "We couldn't be prouder of our teams and Miss Graczyk, our fifth grade teacher," she said. "They have been so dedicated and worked so hard."

The MacArthur students have been working on their project since the first of August. Robotics projects are designed so every team in the country gets their instructions and materials to build their robots at the same time. They have to design and build their robots and then make them perform.

With their performances, all three teams earned an invitation to the VEX IQ World Championship Competition at the Kentucky Convention Center in Louisville in April. The three-day competition will have 275 elementary school robotics teams from around the world, and the MacArthur teams hope to attend if they if funds can be raised. The coaches and parents will be paying for their own way according to Buchko.

"Now we are trying to raise funding," Buchko said. "The cost for the students only is $7,000 total. That includes hotel, food, t-shirts and everything."

They are driving in family cars to cut the cost of buses.

"The MacRobotics team started four seasons ago, this team has grown leaps and bounds since its beginnings," Graczyk said. "Absolutely, none of this would be possible without the monetary support of the Crown Point Community Foundation and other local businesses."

Graczyk is also looking for help with contributions to the World Competition. For information, contact her at agraczyk@cps.k12.in.us.

"Truthfully, I am over the moon with this opportunity and as I have gathered more information I cannot believe we are going!" Graczyk wrote in a letter to parents. "There will be 275 elementary robotics teams going and our school/program has 3! The kids are beyond thrilled and cannot stop talking, singing and dancing about it. All of this makes me one lucky coach to be going with them."

kconley@post-trib.com

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MacArthur captures state title in VEX IQ Robotics - Chicago Tribune