From 36 to 6: Omaha Middle Schoolers Make their Debut at VEX Robotics World Championships

Six dedicated students from Bluestem Middle School in Omaha Public Schools are sending their robot to the VEX Robotics World Championships for the first time in about a decade. Under the guidance of coach Sheri Cohen Vollmer, the team has been working hard on their creation. Despite starting with 36 interested students, only 6th and 7th graders remain on the team as eighth graders have yet to populate the school.

This year’s VEX challenge involves building a robot no larger than 18x18x18 inches and scoring points by getting “tri-balls” into the opposite goal. The students start with basic materials like nuts, bolts, and metal and must build and program the robot on their own. Despite facing setbacks such as having to dismantle their robot due to size restrictions, the team persevered.

Coach Cohen Vollmer describes robotics as “the sport of failing forward,” emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes. The focus for the team is not just on winning but on having fun and learning from the experience. By participating in robotics, these students are not only gaining technical skills but also valuable life lessons.