Robotics teams from Winnetka Elementary and Emmett J. Conrad High have advanced to the world championship competitions of their respective grade levels.
Winnetka will represent the Dallas Independent School District in the world championships in Louisville, Ky., the week of April 18, competing against 150 elementary school teams from across the world. Meanwhile, Conrad’s Robochargers team is heading to the world championship in St. Louis in late April to compete against 300 other teams from other countries.
The achievement is particularly special at Winnetka, which initiated its robotics program this school year.
“I believe this achievement is commendable especially since it is the first year that Dallas ISD implemented the robotics program (here),” said Lourdes Garduno, Winnetka Elementary principal. “This is great news and we are very proud to represent Dallas ISD.”
Conrad’s Robochargers placed in the top three teams at the San Antonio Regional and Dallas Regional US First Robotics competitions in March.
“I’ve got a wonderful group of kids who have worked very, very hard,” said E. Georgette Jordan, a Conrad Academy of Engineering teacher and robotics team sponsor. “They deserve this chance to compete among the best teams in the world.”
Winnetka’s team won the state championship in programming and the state excellence award, and later won the national championship in programming, while earning second place in robot skills and third place in teamwork.
Overall, the Winnetka Robotics teams have won 22 trophies and two banners this year.
Texas Instruments has been instrumental in Conrad’s success. A TI mentor has helped the team in almost every step in the process, Jordan said. The students learn teamwork, design, and engineering, while having a great time.
“This gives them real world experience in designing something when an idea is just thrown out there,” Jordan said. “It’s been a blessing to watch these students grow.
