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Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) welcomed more than 200 elementary students on Saturday for the 11th annual Elementary Robotics Showcase, held at the Warsaw Community High School TRAC from 10 a.m. to noon.
The event brought together fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade robotics club members from all eight elementary schools across the district. Since January, students have been preparing for this culminating experience, applying skills in coding, engineering, collaboration and problem-solving, according to a news release from WCS.
Made possible through the continued partnership and support of Zimmer Biomet and the Zimmer Biomet Foundation, the showcase highlighted two interactive challenges designed to push students’ creativity and technical abilities. In the Coding Challenge: Cat and Mouse, students programmed LEGO robotic mice to navigate a maze, retrieve a 3D-printed piece of cheese, and return to the starting point. In the Engineering Challenge: Relay Race, teams of four worked together to design and code robotic racers to compete head-to-head down a track.
“Coding is now the 'new literacy’! This 21st-century skill is now considered just as important as reading, writing and math,” said Derek Pike, Elementary STEM instructional coach. “It is important for schools to prepare students for future STEM careers involving computer science. I’ve heard that this future generation will change careers seven or eight times in their lifetime and a high percentage of these jobs will rely on workers that are confident in technology. Opportunities such as robotics clubs and STEM education definitely prepare students for these future expectations. Plus it’s super cool!”
“The Warsaw Elementary Robotics Showcase gives students the opportunity to grow in more than coding and engineering,” said Brock Rhodes, fifth-grade teacher at Claypool Elementary. “Through these challenges, students practice problem-solving, perseverance, teamwork and communication while learning to focus on what is right rather than who is right. Because this is a showcase rather than a competition, the focus is on celebrating student growth, learning and the effort that brought them to this point.”
Families filled the TRAC to support students, with parents, siblings and community members cheering on participants throughout the morning. The event also featured a lot of community involvement, with volunteers from Zimmer Biomet, Johnson & Johnson, Grace College and WCS secondary honor societies assisting in running challenges and supporting teams, stated the release.
“I felt an immense sense of pride watching the students present their robotics projects during the showcase,” said Rebecca Boldt, volunteer from Johnson & Johnson. “The excitement and confidence they showed really highlighted how STEM activities can inspire and empower young minds. Events like this don’t just foster technical skills, they bring the community together and spark curiosity, showing the lasting impact that STEM has on both individuals and our wider community.”
Dr. David Hoffert, WCS superintendent, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in creating these opportunities.
“Warsaw Community Schools is extremely grateful for the continued support of Zimmer Biomet and the Zimmer Biomet Foundation. Their investment in STEM education and direct involvement with our students makes events like the Elementary Robotics Showcase possible," he said.
