Area elementary students participated in their inaugural robotics competition at Barbara Yarbrough Elementary School. The event was organized by the Midland Independent School District's (ISD) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, marking a first in the district's history, as said in a news release. The competition featured 25 teams from the local area collaborating to solve problems using robots. Volunteers from Midland ISD CTE, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron Permian Basin supported the event.
According to the news release, students from Midland High School, Young Women's Leadership Academy (YWLA), and the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) contributed as volunteers during the competition, fostering an environment of learning and innovation. The subsequent robotics competition will be the FIRST Tech Challenge South Area Qualifying Meet, scheduled for February 8 at the Midland Horseshoe.
"Today’s competition marks a major milestone for STEM education in Midland ISD," said CTE Executive Director Jeff Horner. "By including elementary teams, we are inspiring students at an earlier age and providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed in STEM fields. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, community partners, and robotics coaches for making this event possible."