ROBESONIAN EDITORIAL
Robeson County residents should take notice of the success of the RobCoBots Team that recently won the Impact Award, qualifying the high-schoolers for the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition State Championship.
Last weekend, PSRC Early College High School’s RobCoBots matched their robot against teams from throughout the region at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition District Event at UNC-Pembroke — and won.
Let’s put this into context.
The Public Schools of Robeson County “operates” the Early College High School (ECHS) based on the Robeson Community College campus. These high school juniors and seniors take upper level courses that provide them with an Associate’s Degree when they graduate from high school.
The ECHS RobCoBots team comprises ECHS students that build, operate and market the RobCoBots project each year. Because the school district pays little to nothing for the RobCoBots — robot supplies, team travel to region, state, national and world competitions — the team includes a fundraising arm all run by the ECHS students as part of their learning curriculum.
This is a wonderful example of how our schools are preparing students for real world careers in “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” (F.I.R.S.T.).
Each part of the RobCoBots team is responsible for the success of the team at competitions, which focus on robotic technology, but also on the educational program as a whole.
The big award.
Last weekend, the team won the Impact Award, the most prestigious award at F.I.R.S.T., which honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of F.I.R.S.T.
The award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period of time.
“Receiving this award is very treasured in our eyes because it reflects the culmination of so many years of hard work and dedication that our student team members and committed mentors have poured into the sustainability, success, and lasting impression on our community here in Robeson County,” said John Allen, lead mentor for the RobCoBots.
ECHS Principal Andrew Davis said he is proud of the students’ hard work and dedication.
“This remarkable achievement reflects not only the skill and ingenuity of our students but also their unwavering commitment to excellence and community engagement,” Davis said. “I am incredibly proud of all our students and mentors for their dedication, teamwork, and leadership. Your hard work has truly made a lasting impact, and you continue to inspire those around you. This accomplishment is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing even greater things from you in the future.”
Following the RoboCoBots’ win, judges comments stated, “This team has focused their efforts in Robeson County by reaching out to underrepresented communities in STEM. Through strategic community events, they’ve created opportunities for local youth to find an outlet for science and technology, fostering an inclusive environment.”
The Robesonian covered the event last weekend at UNCP and witnessed the hundreds of fans, families, educators and industry leaders that gathered for the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition, where teams were recognized for design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship and building partnerships between schools, businesses and communities.
The RobCoBots were one of 31 high school teams competing for a chance to advance to the F.I.R.S.T. North Carolina State Championship, which will take place this weekend at UNC Greensboro. Teams there will vie for one of 14 spots — along with the two Engineering Inspiration winners from last year’s championship game — at the international F.I.R.S.T. Championship, set for April 16 -19 in Houston, Texas.
Robeson County’s students have been to the world championships before, and in fact have come within just a few points of bringing home the world tourney trophy.
That kind of success happens only with the kind of community support we’ve seen this year — and in past years.
“The energy, enthusiasm, and creativity on display [last] weekend was truly inspiring!” said Marie Hopper, president of F.I.R.S.T. North Carolina. “These students give me so much hope for our ability to solve really complex problems.”
We agree. The Public Schools of Robeson County, Robeson Community College, and everyone who supported the team should be proud of the success of the RobCoBots.
