The Thomas Haley Elementary School robotics team achieved remarkable success at the Texas Region 2 VEX IQ Robotics Competition, held on February 2, 2024, at L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, Texas. Competing against 40 teams, the team secured a tie for second place and earned the prestigious Create Award, which recognizes creative engineering design solutions, teamwork, effective communication skills, and the ability to tackle challenges with innovation.
Under the guidance of 5th-grade teacher Giovanny Fraire Esparza, the students have participated in three competitions during their inaugural year in the VEX IQ Robotics program. This program introduces students to the technical aspects of robotics while fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
"STEM is the future," Esparza emphasizes. "Our society revolves around technology, and everything our kids will do in the future will involve technology. We have to prepare them for it now."
Student participant Nolan Takoua shared his enthusiasm for the program: "I initially joined because I thought it would be fun to build a robot and compete against other students. I love math and science, and I'd like to be an engineer when I grow up. This program is helping me get there. It's helping me learn things I wouldn't normally learn in school, and it's an opportunity for me to learn coding and how robots function in real life."
and science, and I'd like to be an engineer when I grow up. This program is helping me get there. It's helping me learn things I wouldn't normally learn in school, and it's an opportunity for me to learn coding and how robots function in real life."
To learn more about Irving ISD’s STEM & Innovation curriculum, visit IrvingISD.net/STEM.
