News Summary
Asheville recently hosted an impressive statewide robotics competition at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena, featuring fifty-five high school teams from across North Carolina. The event highlighted exceptional talent and teamwork, with last year’s champions, Asheville High School, returning to inspire others. Notable teams, like the Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART), showcased their skills and commitment to promoting STEM education, gearing up for future competitions. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation, paving the way for a bright future in technology.
Asheville Hosts Statewide Robotics Competition Showcasing Talented High School Teams
Asheville turned into a buzzing hub of innovation recently, as UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena played host to a spectacular statewide robotics competition. With a record-breaking fifty-five high school teams from every corner of North Carolina, the event was a true testament to the talent and dedication of young minds in the field of technology and engineering.
A Familiar Face Takes the Stage
Last year’s champions, Asheville High School, strutted their robotic stuff once again after claiming first place in the previous competition and even making a mark on the global stage. Their participation served as a source of inspiration for other teams, showcasing just how far hard work and collaboration can take aspiring engineers and innovators.
Fostering a Spirit of Teamwork
The competition wasn’t just about winning; it was about teamwork and collaboration. Robotics is a unique sport that allows students from various backgrounds to dive into professional fields like branding, logistics, and, of course, engineering. For many participants, the event was about building connections and friendships that might last a lifetime, all while focusing on the future of technology.
Future Events on the Calendar
As excitement builds after the competition, teams are already looking forward to upcoming events. A Wake County district event is set for March 17 at Rolesville High School, where even more talented young engineers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills.
Spotlight on the Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART)
Among the standout teams was the Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART), which recently received the prestigious Impact Award at the Mecklenburg District FIRST Robotics Competition. This accolade is awarded to the team that truly embodies FIRST’s mission of inspiring respect for science and technology. SMART has been making waves since its inception in 2017 and is made up of dedicated students from Smoky Mountain High School and Jackson County Early College.
SMART’s journey to success is not just about competing. The team is actively involved in promoting STEM education through summer camps and community mentorship programs. Their achievement at the Asheville District event allowed them to advance to the FIRST North Carolina District Championship, set to take place from April 5-7 at East Carolina University.
A Closer Look at Achievements
SMART’s impressive preparation included well-crafted video and written applications that were presented to FIRST judges. The team not only advanced to the finals at the Asheville District event, but they also ranked as part of the second-place alliance. Additionally, they earned a Judges Award, highlighting their unique contributions to the competition.
The FRC f(x) Robotics Team Shines
But SMART wasn’t the only team making headlines. The FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004, f(x) Robotics, based at Smithfield-Selma High School since 2015, also showcased remarkable talent. Recently, they ranked 7th at UNC Asheville and won the prestigious Imagery Award. The team’s success didn’t stop there; they also secured the Excellence in Engineering award at Rolesville High School.
The members of f(x) Robotics engaged in hands-on creation by fabricating robot components in-house using Project Lead the Way curriculum, which gave them a solid foundation in engineering principles. They meticulously documented their engineering process in a detailed notebook, which played a significant role in their award-winning achievements.
Join the Robotics Revolution
As the enthusiasm for robotics grows, local communities are encouraged to engage with these incredible teams and competitions. These young innovators are paving the way for future technological advancements, and every interaction helps promote the importance of STEM education.
With a future filled with opportunities ahead, it’s clear that Asheville is not just witnessing a competition, but rather embarking on a journey of inspiration, innovation, and a bright technological future.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Hosts Statewide Robotics Competition
- WLOS: High School Robotics Tournament
- Smoky Mountain News: Award Winning Robotics Team
- JoCo Report: f(x) Robotics Wins Excellence Award
- Wikipedia: Robotics
