Robots and high schoolers were recently found mingling in the competitive landscape of the VEX V5 Robotics Tournament at El Paso's Starlight Event Center, where the Jingle Bot Jamboree put students' STEM skills front and center. EPISD students showcased their ability to design, build, and refine their mechanical creations, with the district placing a clear focus on practical, hands-on experiences for careers in the technology sectors.
Chapin High School teacher and robotics coach Julian Gomez described the event as a conduit for collaboration and inventiveness where teamwork and leadership go hand-in-hand with gears and programming, which drove students to strategize and problem-solve, and also had to quickly adapt to the fast-paced challenges, mirroring the real-world demands of tech professions. "Robotics encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking," Gomez stated, as per El Paso ISD.
School programs like these are increasingly seen as essential, as the demand for skilled workers in STEM fields continues to grow. EPISD is investing in these programs, aiming to foster technical knowledge, confidence, and leadership, providing students, including female students who have historically been underrepresented in such fields, with access to industry-aligned educational opportunities, Ivanna Cho, a senior at Chapin High School told El Paso ISD, this kind of program gave her the push toward considering a future in robotics or manufacturing.
