St. Bernard Catholic School (SBS) students are making strides toward technical challenges with their Robotics Teams. Second through eighth graders are eligible to join, and this year there are twenty students on six teams.
The St. Bernard Robotics Team competes in the VEX IQ Challenge, where young innovators come together to harness their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to construct robots equipped to compete in engineering-themed games. This arena become a testing ground where theoretical classroom concepts meet practical application. This provides students an opportunity to exemplify skills not just in robotics, but in teamwork, leadership and communication, as well. The Team ties in with the STEM curriculum at the school, as there are STEM programs throughout its science program. This includes robots that teachers may utilize.
For the past three seasons, the teams have been adding to their goals. In the first year, they were just trying to understand how to build the robot and troubleshoot. In the second year, building became a little easier, and the students who had done it the year before assisted other teams. This year, the teams are moving along on their builds. The goal is to be able to compete with the coding, where the robot then can move autonomously, to score more points for their team.
Students and their families alike are excited about the SBS Robotics Team. Parent Laura Allard, whose son is a fifth grader on the Team, offers some thoughts: “Our son has looked forward to joining robotics ever since he found out about it in Kindergarten preview day. This is his second year on the team, and he is excited to start building! As a parent, I enjoy coaching and watching the kids grow as young adults and teammates. They have to think outside the box and work together to problem solve and find solutions. It is a big commitment to join the team, however, it is a beautiful thing to be a part of. It is so rewarding to see how much the kids learn and grow from the start of the season up until they start to compete.”
Although this season’s teams are set, students may look forward to signing up for next school year. SBS staff and the Robotics Team coaches wish to share their thoughts about the group.
“We are eager to expand our Robotics Team, offering an increased number of students the opportunity to immerse themselves in this innovative and exciting field. Our aspirations include not just growing in numbers, but also in the scope and level of our competition. In the past season, we made notable strides by doubling our participation from two to four tournaments. This accomplishment fuels our ambition, and in the upcoming seasons, we aim to compete in five or six events, with the ultimate goal of earning a spot at the state competition. But we won’t stop there. Our vision extends beyond state level. We are committed to fostering a team equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion to reach regional and even national competitions. Each step forward marks our unwavering commitment to provide our students with enriching opportunities that challenge, inspire, and cultivate their potential in robotics and beyond.”
With this inspiration, commitment and participation, the St. Bernard Robotics Team is sure to hit new heights each new school year!
The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.
Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.
Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.
