Alton, Texas- The Alton Memorial Jr. High School (AMJH) Robo-Rangers robotics teams dominated at the annual Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Area 1 Robotics Competition held this past weekend. The Area 1 consists of seven counties that include: Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Web, Willacy, and Zapata. There were a total of 27 school districts and 21 charter schools in the competition. The Area 1 robotics competition is one of the largest in the state with a total of 274 teams participating in four different competitions and levels. The teams compete in advanced or intermediate divisions. In each of those divisions, teams can compete in the invention contest or the arena contest.
The Robo-Ranger teams from AMJH swept the top three places in both the arena and invention intermediate competitions. It was noted by judges and Area 1 Director, Dr. Patricia Abrego, that this was the first time in TCEA history that an entire school team swept first, second, and third place in both categories.
The Robo-Rangers also earned second place in the Advanced Arena competition. This brought the total trophy count for AMJH to 7 of the possible 12 trophies at the competition. Other Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District robotics teams also earned some of the other remaining trophies.
The teams that placed first and second in their categories automatically advance to the TCEA State Championship Robotics Competition to be held in Duncanville, Texas on May 2. Teams that finish a close third place can also advance to state pending a wildcard invitation by TCEA.
Results for the Intermediate Inventions teams from AMJH-
Purple Robo-Rangers, first place, Keyla Trejo, Miguel Garcia, Kimberly Maldonado, Johnny Soto. Blue Robo-Rangers, second place, Farith Elvira, Jennifer Amador, Kenia Loera. Lime Robo-Rangers, third place, Stacy Hoyuela, Adamaris Sanchez, Vanessa Gamboa, Monserrat Barrera.
Results for the Intermedia Arena teams from AMJH-
Platinum Robo-Rangers, first place, Priscilla Quintero, Vanessa Quintero, Emily Barragan. Green Robo-Rangers, second place, Josue Silva, Mauricio Ramiro, Antonio Navarro. Chrome Robo-Rangers, third place, Robert Ramirez, Matthew Perez, Erik Cazares.
Results for the Advanced Arena teams from AMJH-
Gold Robo-Rangers, second place, Carlos Hernandez, Bianca Rosales, Johnny Mejia. Maroon Robo-Rangers, third place, Maximo Briones, Enrique Cantu, Alejandro Martinez.
In the Invention contests, teams of two to four students create and develop a robotic invention to demonstrate a solution for a problem of their choice. This showcases research, robot performance, robot design, marketing, and presentation skills for a panel of judges. Students approach their problem as a real team of engineers working together to solve their problem using the engineering design process.
The Arena contest is a more prescribed problem contest. Teams of two to four students receive a set of challenge rules and specifications designed around a theme that varies from year to year. This year’s theme is “Food Frenzy.” Students had to design and innovate a robot using the EV3 and NXT platforms of Lego Mindstorm to accomplish a number of objectives. This entailed months of preparation, brainstorming, designing, and programming. The challenge is designed around the theme of growing and harvesting food. The team’s robot had to strategically be programmed to perform six tasks on the challenge field, autonomously. They had to: erect a fertilizer tower, trigger a growth spurt, irrigate garden seeds, harvest food, collect food pods, and deliver the food and pods to the barn.
The AMJH Robo-Ranger coaches/sponsors are: Robert Granados, Sammy Rivera, Jesus Barrera, Noe Pena.
Pictured are the members of the AMJH Robo-Rangers after the recent TCEA Area 1 Robotics Competition.
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