TVA and Greater Chattanooga Robotics recently co-sponsored the 4th Annual VEX Robotics Competition with Chattanooga State’s RC-NET (Regional Center for Nuclear Education Training) program. A total of 10 teams from East Hamilton, Ooltewah, Hixson, The Howard School, and Central high schools – including an all-girls team from Central competed.

Each school provided one or more teams this year. First, second and third place winners are based on points, while other awards are based on the skill of the driver, team work exhibited, and the design of the VEX robot. When competition ended, East Hamilton High School Team 1 earned bragging rights and brought home the team trophy for their school.

Coming in Second Place was East Hamilton team 2, followed by Central High School team XL-1 in Third Place. The Skills Award was presented to Hixson High School; the Howard School Clovers constructed an outstanding robot winning Best Design; and the Ooltewah Psychopaths worked best together earning the Team Work Award.

This competition challenged students to not only use critical thinking skills, but also to pay close attention to the laws of physics so that robots move quickly and easily, can carry weight and move without tipping, as well as function properly.

The all-day competition has gained popularity, nearly doubling the number of teams, since its inception in 2014. In addition, co-sponsorship by TVA and Greater Chattanooga Robotics has greatly enhanced this STEM-related competition. ChattState hopes to hold a state qualifying VEX EDR competition on February 10 at the Volkswagen Academy. For more information about this and future competitions, contact Samantha Travis at 423-697-5514 or email her at samantha.travis@chattanoogastate.edu.