“Legends of the Shooting Stars” team members include: Jacob Capina, Santiago Hurtado, Grace Parker, Elena Bello, Aleks Bibulovic, Jessica Stapel, Daniil Drumi, Noah Indreiu, Elliott Kim, Sarah McCormick. Volunteer coaches were: Pastor David Kokiong, Pastor Samuel Indreiu, Cesar Gabriel, Elmer Capina
The Hinsdale Adventist Academy (HAA) Robotics Club on May 5 scored first place wins in the national Adventist Robotics League competition in Apopka, Florida.
The 10-person Hinsdale team, named “Legends of the Shooting Stars,” competed against 30 other teams from across the United States and a group from the Pacific Island of Saipan.
During the tournament held at Forest Lake Academy, teams were evaluated in four areas: Core Values (teamwork, discovery, inclusion and integration); Space Project; Robot Performance; and Robot Design. Their first-place wins came in the Space Project and Robot Design categories.
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In the Space Project category, teams were charged with solving a real-world, space-related project connecting to the tournament’s theme, “Into Orbit.” For Robot Design, teams were judged on the simplicity, durability, programming, automation, mission strategy, creativity and efficiency of their robot.
The Hinsdale team, consisting of sixth- to eighth-graders, qualified for the national level after competing in a regional match and placing in the top three of 11 teams.
“HAA is committed to excellence in educating the students for life today,” said HAA’s principal, Fawn Scherencel. “The Robotics Club is just one avenue for this, and it shows how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math concepts) education is highly valued in our school.”
This isn’t the first time the HAA robotics team has competed nationally, and the school continues to build on a foundation of excellence. According to Scherencel, students receive tremendous benefits in participating in the Robotics tournaments. “Besides being loads of fun, our students learn critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills.”
Adventist Robotics League is a partner with the FIRST LEGO League.
Members of the Hinsdale Adventist Academy Robotics team
