December 1, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

New Roads School’s Robotics Team Win Prestigious Award:

New Roads School’s robotics team has won the prestigious “Rookie All Star Award” this past weekend, earning them a coveted spot at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) World Championship.

Attended by thousands of fans, families, educators and industry leaders, the FIRST Robotics Competition Los Angeles Regional awarded Team 4501 – “Humans” from New Roads School with an honor celebrating this rookie team’s excellence, community outreach, and high impact partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities.

Held at the Long Beach Arena on March 22 and 23, Team 4501 competed to earn one of several spots at the FIRST Championship held April 24-27 in St. Louis, MO.

With the hope of winning one of the several coveted awards, high school students worked with professional mentors to design and build a robot over a six week period that solved a problem using a kit of parts and a standard set of rules.

This year’s game, “Ultimate Ascent,” had robots participating in a Frisbee style game where teams pick up and shoot Frisbees through various narrow goals and then climb a 10-foot steel pyramid.

Beneath the fascinating idea of high school kids designing, machining, and programming 150-pound robots, there is an undercurrent of a culture shift that has teenagers thinking about how to make a positive and lasting impact in their communities.

One award that focuses on this aspect is the Rookie All Star Award, which celebrates the rookie team that exemplifies a young but strong partnership effort, as well as one who implements the mission of FIRST: To inspire students to learn more about science and technology.

As a rookie robotics team mentor, Bryan Smith is not only proud of his team’s accomplishment but impressed with the lessons learned throughout the season.

“Other than the obvious of learning to design, build, and program a robot, we learned that when we work together we can accomplish more than we can apart,” Smith said. “We also learned that making teamwork a habit can lead to unexpected and tremendous results.”

The “Humans” unique approach to their team stems from their learning environment at the New Roads School in Los Angeles. The team’s motto is, “More than the Sum of Our Parts”, emphasizes their commitment to their team and their community.

New Road’s Head of School David Bryan believes the focus with which his students approach FRC is a clear indication that education needs more of this type of activity.

“Could one ask for better curriculum and pedagogy?” Bryan said. “Rich and complex understanding embedded in an activity that is challenging and oh so engaging. It’s what everyone in education hopes for.”

Sophomore and robot driver Jackson Spargur is amazed at his team’s achievement and opportunity to move on to the FIRST Robotics World Championship.

“I never entertained the wildest hope of us being as successful as we were in the LA regional, and I’m greatly excited to have the chance to compete in the St. Louis,” Spargur said.

Despite their victory, the “Humans” do not have an easy road ahead of them. They have just a few short weeks to raise over $15,000 in order to transport themselves, and their robot, to competition in St. Louis.

Donations will be greatly appreciated, and information about fundraisers and donation drives will be posted on the team’s website at http://blogs.newroads.org/robotics.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Popular Palisadian Road Reopens After Repairs

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Both lanes are now unobstructed leading to the Pacific Coast Highway @smmirrornews Temescal has reopened after weeks of repairs. #pacificpalisades...

Employee Fights Suspect Breaking Into Santa Monica Restaurant

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Mere Week After the Business Underwent Extensive Renovations and a Grand Reopening By Zach Armstrong A mere week after...

Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit Against Santa Monica School Dismissed by Judge

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Student Sought to Halt the Mandate’s Enforcement and Also Pursued Compensatory Damages.  A judge at the Santa Monica Superior...

Fairview Branch Open House: A Festive Affair Welcoming Santa Monica Back to the Library

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Exciting Open House to Bring the Community Together for the Holidays By Robert Graves, Librarian II  On Tuesday, December 5,...

Kamala Harris Highlights Venice Bakery on Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Harris Is Seen Ordering and Enjoying Some of the Restaurant’s Chilaquiles By Zach Armstrong Vice President and former California U.S....

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Holiday Pub Crawl Coming to Santa Monica

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

More Than 20 Bars and Restaurants Will Offer Exclusive $6-$9 Food and Drink Specials By Zach Armstrong The holidays are...

Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Coming This Weekend

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Event Is Set to Include Photo-Ops With Santa, Carnival Games, Free Food and Drinks and Live Performances The 12th...

Ribbon-Cutting Event to Celebrate New & Improved Bike Paths

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Recently Finished Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue Project Aims to Enhance Bike and Pedestrian Safety On...

Need Some Festive Hanukkah Catering? Here Are Some Suggestions From Rustic Canyon Restaurants

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

The Holidays Are Stressful, These Restaurants Can Help  By Dolores Quintana Do you need some hints on where to get...

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk: A Joyful 11 Blocks of Lights, Music, and Festive Spirit

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Experience the Magic with Live Music, Santa’s Celebration, and Holiday Displays By Dolores Quintana Embrace the festive spirit as Montana...

Protesters Target AIPAC President’s Home in Brentwood – LAPD Investigates Possible Hate Crime

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

On Thanksgiving Morning, Two Dozen Demonstrators Caught on Camera  By Dolores Quintana On Thanksgiving morning, a group of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators...

Venice Shorts: Incinerated RV Found on Main Street

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Burned out vehicles plague this exhausted neighborhood. By Nick Antonicello  The situation on the streets of Venice remains dangerous and...

Council Votes in Support of Upcoming Ballot Initiative on Mental Health Assistance

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Proposition 1 Would Utilize a $6.38 Billion Bond in Existing State Funds By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica City Council voted...

 (Video) Downtown SM Eatery Closes Its Doors

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

The Watering Hole Located at 205 Broadway Has an Inactive Website @smmirrornews The eatery, located at 205 Broadway, has an...