Ballwin Students' Robotics Team Competes in Missouri Championship

Three teams—two from and one independent team comprised of students from Eureka High School and Ballwin—made it to the semifinals of the Missouri State Robotics Championships held Saturday at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO.

An independent Eureka/Ballwin team, named "Oddly Charged Particles", will be headed to the FIRST Robotics World Championships that will be held at the Edward Jones Dome April 25—28.

The invitation-only state championships drew 36 teams from across Missouri, who competed in one of three arenas designed to showcase the capabilities and ingenuity of the robotics teams. Each team began with the same box of parts and designed a robot that would accomplish a multitude of tasks, including autonomous movement. Teams worked independently, and as part of combined team "alliances," to knock over baskets, pick up and store racquetballs, maneuver a bowling ball and raise baskets high into the air. Judges scored points and awarded penalties depending upon the activities of the robots on the play field.  

The theme this year was "Bowled Over!" 

According to FIRST Tech Challenge, teams are composed of up to 10 students who are responsible for designing, building and programming their robots to compete in an alliance against other teams. The robot kit is reusable each year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Awards are given for tournament outcomes as well as for community outreach, design, and other accomplishments.

The two Eureka High School teams — Meson Subatomic Particles (in red shirts) and Boson Subatomic Particles (blue shirts) in the accompanying photos —were knocked out in the best of three semi-final matches by a score of 2-1. Team Boson, #3658, was a finalist in the innovative design category. Their mentor, Douglas Rohrer, PhD, also was a finalist for the Compass Award, given to a mentor who exhibits dedication and inspiration.  

A third Eureka High School team, Team Quarks, also made it to the state championships, but was knocked out in the earlier rounds of match competition. All three Eureka school teams had qualified for the state tournament at regional matches by placing in the top three.

Editor's Note:  Thanks to Stephanie Stemmler, a Eureka-based writer and owner of Above-the-Fold Communications, LLC, and a parent of one of the robotics competitors for Eureka High School for this firsthand account of yesterday's competition. A team from Lafayette High School also earned an award at the state championships, and information about that will be added when it's secured. Or, if Patch readers attended or know team members, please add the results here in the comments section of this article.