Young tech-savvy minds across Tennessee gathered over the weekend to put their skills to the test at the VEX IQ Robotics State tournament, held at Hendersonville High School. The competition, which saw participation from 44 middle school teams and 24 elementary teams, became a battleground for demonstrating prowess in science, technology, engineering, and math.

During this high-stakes event, students from various regions including those from Indian Trail Middle School, Sullivan East, and Happy Valley contended for the top spots. Among the regional participants, the "Robohawks 6" team from Indian Trail Middle School stood out, securing second place and earning them a ticket to the world championship set to occur in Dallas, Texas from April 25 to May 3, as reported by WJHL.

The significance of the competition was highlighted by Dale Sadler, the Event Partner of the tournament, who told NewsChannel5, "VEX is the world's largest robotic competition." This sentiment was echoed by students, including Vennie Burk of Portland East Middle, who stressed the importance of communication and teamwork in overcoming challenges: "You will argue a little, but you will have to get over those struggles," Burk said.

Ari Heriges, a participant from Overall Creek, shed light on the precision required in the competition, stating, "You have to get the right measurements, like how far do you lift up the arm? Which way you want to turn? How many degrees you want to turn?" Her school took to social media to express their Otter pride, with a post from OverallCreek.STEAM proudly celebrates student participation with the hashtag #lifeatthecreek #notborntofollow.

The state tournament underscores a broader initiative to promote diversity in STEM fields, a push that is gradually taking shape as schools across the Volunteer State invest in early education. Engaging in competitive robotics is just one way to prepare the next generation of engineers, programmers, and problem solvers for the challenges awaiting in a technology-driven future.