Robotics teams combine skills, competition

The Robotics programs at both Blue Springs and Blue Springs South High Schools continue to enjoy great success in the classroom and at the competition level.

The BSHS Robotics team, coached by Angelia Schnackenberg, has 20 members this year with four seniors and two foreign exchange students. All four seniors will pursue engineering degrees in college, and senior Barek Roberts, was awarded the FIRST Robotics scholarship to the University of Missouri. Their team won the Judge’s Award at the St. Louis FIRST Robotics Competition for their innovative use of recycled materials in their robot. This year’s motto was "The Purple Machine Goes Green." The team advanced to the quarterfinals during the St. Louis competition which was held March 19-21. At the Kansas City competition February 26-28, the team placed third out of 61 teams during the preliminary rounds to advance to the quarterfinals.

"Over the past three years, 100 percent of our graduating seniors have pursued degrees related to their responsibility on the robotics team," Schnackenberg said. "Robotics truly prepares the students for life after high school because of the problem-solving and critical thinking skills the students use daily."

The Blue Springs South JagWired Robotics team, coached by Michele Cole, is completing its fourth year and includes 25 members. The team participated in regional competition in Kansas City and St. Louis, reaching the semifinal round in St. Louis. The team is also in the planning stages of a FIRST Lego League Program at one the district’s middle school science clubs.

Both robotics programs are always looking for additional sponsors and mentors.