By NewsLine Staff

The Bolles middle school robotics teams excelled during the FIRST robotics qualifying tournament, held Jan. 9 at St. Mark’s Episcopal School. Both teams finished in the top five and qualified for the regional tournament.

The qualifying competition challenged teams in four areas: robotic missions, robotic design, project research and teamwork. Both teams have been practicing since September – meeting before school and during lunch, as well as making time for preparation and collaboration during activities period, after school, weekends and during winter break.

“I am ecstatic for them,” said Coach Mark Meyers. “Their dedication to their robot and research project shows the true spirit of a Bolles student.”

In addition to building and programming a robot to complete missions, the teams completed a research project based on this year’s theme: Trash Trek. They researched a current environmental issue, created a realistic solution, and presented it to judges at the tournament.

The teams include boys and girls in sixth through eighth grades. Many of the students on the Grade 8 team, called The B Team, have been participating in robotics camps and activities for years. The Grade 6-7 team, called the Terabyte Terrors, is a new team which has bonded well and has learned quickly how to excel in robotics.

Photo courtesy The Bolles School

Bolles offers robotics programs at the lower, middle and upper schools as a part of the academic day and after-school programs.

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