Pinkston Robotics Soars to the Western Edge Open in California: A Journey of Innovation and Inspiration

From Arkansas to California: A Middle School Team’s Triumphant Journey

In the heart of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Pinkston Middle School’s Pinkston Robotics team has secured their place at the prestigious Western Edge Open in Long Beach, California, marking a remarkable milestone in their FIRST LEGO League (FLL) journey. This exceptional achievement underscores their dedication, innovation, and unwavering pursuit of excellence in STEM education.

Regional Qualifier Triumph and Innovation Project Excellence

The team’s odyssey began at the regional qualifier held at Harding Academy on December 2, 2023. With unwavering determination, they showcased their exceptional abilities, earning the coveted Innovation Project Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates their outstanding utilization of diverse resources to gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen problem, their creative and well-researched solution, and their effective communication of findings to both judges and the community.

Addressing the Need for Strong Reading Skills

During their meticulous research phase, the team uncovered a sobering statistic: students lacking adequate reading skills in the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school compared to their peers who read at grade level. Additionally, a staggering 85% of juvenile offenders grapple with reading problems. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the team rallied under the motto “See a Need, Fill a Need,” identifying an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Harnessing the Power of Digital Books

Inspired by their findings, Pinkston Robotics devised an innovative solution to address the reading proficiency gap. They embraced the StoryJumper platform, a digital storytelling tool, to create engaging and accessible books. Leveraging the versatility of digital media, they aimed to captivate young minds and foster a love for reading among Kindergarten students.

Sharing the Joy of Reading with Kindergarteners

With infectious enthusiasm, the team members embarked on a mission to share their love of reading with Kindergarteners. They visited classrooms, engaging the young learners with captivating stories brought to life through their digital books. The Kindergarteners responded with unbridled excitement, eagerly absorbing the tales and expressing their desire to create their own literary masterpieces.

Engineering Excellence and Core Values Recognition

At the Arkansas State FIRST LEGO League Championships held on January 20, 2024, Pinkston Robotics once again demonstrated their prowess, capturing the esteemed Engineering Excellence Award. This accolade recognizes their meticulously designed robot, their innovative project solution that effectively addressed the season’s challenge, and their unwavering embodiment of Core Values in all their endeavors.

Bound for the Western Edge Open

The Engineering Excellence Award propelled Pinkston Robotics to the Western Edge Open in Long Beach, California, a highly competitive global stage where they will join 90 teams from around the world. The team will immerse themselves in three days of intense competition, showcasing their robot design, robot games, innovation project development, and core values.

Embracing the “MASTERPIECE” Challenge

This year’s FIRST LEGO League challenge theme, “MASTERPIECE,” invites teams to explore the intersection of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the arts. The challenge tasks participants with utilizing technology and artistic expression to engage others or amplify participation in their chosen passions. Pinkston Robotics, united by their love for reading, has found an innovative way to spread this passion to younger children in their community.

Team Composition and Coaching Support

Pinkston Robotics is a dynamic team of six dedicated students from Pinkston Middle School: Allison Free, Bray-Lynn Hopper, and Brooks Barber, all in seventh grade, and Abigail Hale, Ava Allen, and Crews Wooldridge, all in sixth grade. Under the expert guidance of Coach Chrissy Davis, the sixth and seventh-grade robotics teacher at Pinkston Middle School, the team has flourished since its inception in 2018. Coach Davis’s unwavering commitment to the team is complemented by the invaluable assistance of high school mentors Olivia Clements and Noah Dickerson, former Pinkston Robotics team members who now excel in the Mountain Home High School robotics team.

Expanding STEM Horizons

In addition to their remarkable achievements in FLL, Pinkston Robotics has forged a partnership with the Mountain Home High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) to broaden their STEM horizons. This collaboration has led to the formation of drone and Seaperch (underwater drone) competition teams, further enhancing the students’ STEM skills and preparing them for regional, national, and international challenges in aviation and marine engineering.

Fundraising Endeavors for the Western Edge Open

To make their journey to the Western Edge Open in Long Beach, California, a reality, Pinkston Robotics must raise over $20,000. The team is actively seeking community support through various fundraising initiatives. Individuals and organizations interested in contributing to this exceptional team’s endeavor can reach out to Coach Chrissy Davis at [email protected].

Social Media Updates

For the latest updates on the team’s progress and upcoming events, follow Pinkston Robotics on Facebook at @FLLteam39042.

Conclusion

Pinkston Robotics, a beacon of innovation and inspiration, continues to soar to new heights, representing the very best of STEM education and community engagement. Their unwavering dedication, coupled with the unwavering support of their coaches, mentors, and community, promises an unforgettable experience at the Western Edge Open. As they embark on this exciting journey, the team looks forward to showcasing their talents, sharing their passion for reading, and leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.