The Pizitz Middle School VEX Robotics team competed in the state TSA/VEX competition at The University of Alabama in April, winning the state title for the middle school division. They also competed in 23 TSA events including challenges such as Aviation, Structural Engineering, Problem Solving, Speech and more. Overall, the Pizitz team was awarded 40 top-10 awards, with every Pizitz team member placing in the top 10 of at least one of their events.
In the competition, the students are challenged by the VEX Robotics Design System, which is an exciting platform for learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Using the VEX Robotics technology, the students are able to explore careers in the STEM areas. In addition, students work on developing leadership skills, team building and problem solving when designing and building innovative robots for qualification matches and skill challenges.
Devin Gilleland was selected as the TSA Student of the Year (Technology Student Association), competing with more than 1,000 other students. William McInnish was selected as the TSA State Advisor of the Year.
Other Pizitz students earning awards were: second place in State Pin – Owen Kew, third place in Career Prep – Johnathan Burke, fourth place in Tech Bowl – team members Jeremy Chu, Devin Gilleland and Max Woolley. Other team members were Alex Gilleland, Liam Childers, Pearce Dunham, Oren Ford, Cross Hogland, Beau Reed, Johnathan Burke, Jeremy Chu, Derrin King, Demarcus Mitchel, Ari Tsantes, Daniel Wilson and Angela Zheng.
-Submitted by Catherine Horton, Pizitz Middle School
