Julian students, Ian Moss, left, John Kowalczyk and Jaden Degand trouble-shoot problems with their robot after a test run in the practice ring. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
A roughly drawn design still shows the intricacies of the devices and what they must accomplish. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Julian student Emma Langelan grimaces as she fits a piece on her team’s robot. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Julian student James Kennedy screws in a panel on his team’s robot during an after-school meeting. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Julian students Tyler Christian Yokoo, left, Bennett Tucker and Jacob Spangler designed a lift for their robot to better move objects to targeted areas of the battle ring. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
John Kowalczyk, left, downloads a program for his team’s robot. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Every robotics club in the state have the exact same components to built their robots. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Emma Langelan, right, chases after her team’s robot, being controlled by Carson Geye, after it cleared an obstacle in the practice ring. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
With Ryan Smith, right, at the controls, Rachel Taylor and Asha Ivey root for a first-round victory in the scrimmage between the Brooks and Julian clubs. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Robots score points by moving balls into targeted areas of the ring. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Charles Tijerina-Albury jumped up and down as he watched teammates score points with their robot. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
The first middle school class of robot builders from Oak Park are coming of age, securing their degrees and getting ready to hit the work force.
The group of Brooks and Julian students that formed the first VEX Robotics teams in 2005 will have good company in this current crop of aspiring engineers, some of whom are building complex chassis with upwards of 10 motors.
The teams from Oak Park’s two middle schools will compete Feb. 1 in the Battle of the Bots, a day-long qualifying event at Julian leading up to the first Illinois middle schools championship.
That 2005 group was the only VEX middle school program in Illinois, forced to compete with — and often beating — high school teams. That finally changed in the last couple of years when other middle schools began applying for start-up grants for the after-school program.
The local program is funded by the Oak Park Education Foundation and 95 kids from the two schools form teams of four to build a robot that can go around obstacles and pick up or move balls to target areas in a competition ring. Participants use math, science, engineering, computer and project management skills.
“These kids are all going into engineering and robotics,” said program coordinator Mary Beth Hausken of that first wave of VEX students. “We know its sparking interest. It’s jaw-dropping to see what these kids can do.”
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