January 16, 2017– With nearly a third of the total teams, Mission CISD will make an imposing appearance at the Texas Computer Education Association’s (TCEA) Area One Robotics competition to be held Saturday, January 21. All MCISD campuses entered at least one team for a total 92 teams out of the estimated 300 teams competing from Edinburg, Los Fresnos, PSJA, Roma, Rio Hondo and Weslaco ISDs.
The robotics programs are invaluable in challenging students to think critically and collaboratively through fun and engaging competitions. For the arena contest, teams must build a robot according to the rules and specifications provided in a 25-page document, using LEGO-branded items and up to $5 retail value of non-electrical, non-LEGO parts to enhance its functionality or appearance. Teams may also compete in the Inventions Contest where they may create a robotic invention that solves a problem of their choice using the Engineering Design Process.
Each year, TCEA provides its members with the opportunity to explore the impact of robotics. Participating students from elementary and secondary schools design, collaborate, plan, redesign, construct, create, assemble, invent, reinvent, write, present, and compete to see who has developed the smartest robot. The contests vary based on strategies that involve speed, accuracy, sensing objects, and light. A programmable robot is limited only by the imagination of the inventor.
The competition will be held at PSJA ISD’s Raul Yzaguirre Middle School, 605 E. FM 495 in San Juan, starting at 9 a.m.