The Ohio Aerospace Institute recently hosted a VEX IQ Robotics tournament on Friday, October 27, 2023, which drew more than 80 elementary and middle school participants. The tournament took place at OAI and featured teams of students working together to build robots that could successfully complete the competition's objectives.
The main objective of this year's tournament was to place blocks into goals, with points awarded based on the number, type, and height of blocks in each goal. Additional points were awarded for clearing the supply zone and parking the robot in the supply zone at the end of the match.
As a means of tracking their progress, students utilized an Engineering Notebook to record their steps. During the competition, their robot performance and notebook quality were evaluated. Various trophies were awarded for outstanding achievements throughout the event. One such trophy, the Excellence Award, was presented to a team that demonstrated exceptional overall skill in developing a high-quality VEX robotics program. Congratulations to the teams from Monroeville Elementary School and Norwalk Middle School for earning this prestigious award.
Apart from the robotics competition, students were invited to take part in a biomimicry challenge, where they learned the methods by which animals move across sand. Based on their learning, student teams employed recycled materials to design vehicles that could travel on sand with characteristics inspired by nature. This was OAI's second tournament/biomimicry challenge, and the preparations for next year's event are already underway.
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About Parallax Advanced Research
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the Nation. Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information about both organizations can be found at the Parallax and OAI websites.