Joanne Williams
Editor

(Photo provided by Pat Campion:  Champions all: (from bottom left) Coach Denise Droscha, Justin Surato, DNQ; Back Row: Coach Stephanie D’Huyvetter, Max Leonarc, Hannah Droscha, Bennett Braeutigam, Holden Marsh, Optimist Pat Campion, Coach Jim Droscha, DNQ-William Kowalsky, Elijah Bothberg, Weston Sulpher, missing Alex Wellmaen and Evertt St. John who were in Grand Rapids competing.)

 

What happens when you put middle schoolers, thousands of Lego-like pieces, food, and a dog named Fred in a room together?

Charlotte robotics teams headed to the World Championship, again!

Last year’s representatives were the elementary school’s team the Gear Busters.

They are making a second appearance, along with seventh and eighth graders, DNQ (Do Not Quit) team. The event is April 28-30 in St. Louis, Missouri. 

They will join thousands of students from around the nation and world, representing almost every continent. The game or challenge begins with each school year. These 10 students are part of the after school robotics club, led (for seven years) by STEM teacher Matt Gordeneer, and fifth-grade teacher Stephanie D’Huyvetter. The event is called VEX IQ Robotics World Championships, after the company that makes the Vex components and the game rules.

It does take a village to support such a venture. That means long-time volunteers such as Jim and Denise Droscha, newcomer Carol Jones, and a host of other students, parents and well-wishers. The Droschas have been volunteering for 20 years.

It also takes funding. Gordeneer would like to see enough funds raised so that the students do not have to fund so much, after already giving so much of their time and talents. Parents and supporters are paying their own way.

Bottle and can drives are being held, cinnamon rolls are being sold, sponsors are being sought to offset the $18-20,000 cost.

The Charlotte Optimists have stepped up with $500 to help lodging and meal expenses. Families are paying their own way.

Basically, these students are playing, most admit, but “playing to compete and win,” said Eli Gothberg, he is the lead coder for the DNQ team.

There is no question that STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math) are being learned and used. There are 14 total teams and over 135 students involved, Gordeneer said.

Students get to choose their teams and their team names.

“We are playing, but it is motivated play,” Everett St. John of Team DNQ said.

Gordeneer said students get to play against each other as well as other schools in the area, including Haslett, Plainwell and Grand Ledge. The robots are about the size of a toaster oven.

Students can meet up to 90 minutes or so after school to practice. The playing floor is about the size of a Ping-Pong table, on the floor, and a bit wider.

The veteran team of fifth and sixth graders appreciate their experience at the World Championships, held in Dallas, Texas, last year.

For information or to donate, contact Gordeneer at gordenm@charlottemet.org. Checks can be made out to Charlotte Public Schools, ATTN Matt Gordeneer 1068 Carlisle Highway, Charlotte, MI 48813 and dropped off at the Middle School or mailed.