Over 130 students from 12 schools throughout Western Pennsylvania took part in the first Unified Robotics competition on Friday, December 13. The Woodland Hills School District hosted the event in the high school gymnasium as the capstone to its celebration of CSEd Week.
Middle school students from Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy were joined by students from South Fayette Middle School, Hopewell Area High School, Blackhawk High School, Beaver Area High School and New Horizon School, Western Beaver High School, West Allegheny High School, Mars Area Elementary School, and three schools from the Elizabeth Forward School District - William Penn Elementary School, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, and Central Elementary School.
Through a partnership with Special Olympics Pennsylvania, the Unified Robotics program pairs special education students with regular education students as they work together to score points on the VEX IQ Competition Rapid Relay field by VEX Robotics. The Unified Robotics competition empowers the students to further develop their skills as communicators, engineers, and critical thinkers, all in a competitive and collaborative environment.
During Friday's competition, teams were randomly paired up and tasked to accumulate as many points as possible on the Rapid Relay field in 60 seconds. The format rewards communication and teamwork as the teams have to find ways to collaborate with teams from other schools regardless of age and skill level. Teams were also challenged to a skill competition that required them to work alone to score as many points as possible in 60 seconds.
Participating teams earned performance-based awards at the end of the competition:
- The Champion's Award - Team Underdogs, West Allegheny High School: This is awarded to the team with the highest performance in the competition, based on match results and overall robot performance.
- Unified Team Award - Team Cosmic Coders, Mars Area Elementary: This is presented to the team that best exemplifies the principles of unity and equality, ensuring that both neurotypical and neurodivergent members were equally involved in all aspects of the project.
- Equal Contribution Award - Team The VIP's, Elizabeth Forward's Mt. Vernon Elementary: This is given to the team that demonstrates a truly balanced division of work with clear evidence of equal participation from all members, regardless of abilities.
- Creative Design Award - Team HS Cougars, Blackhawk High School: Given to the team that demonstrates the most creative and original approach to robot design or problem-solving during the competition.
- Collaboration Excellence Award - Team IQ Ducks, Elizabeth Forward's Mt. Vernon Elementary: Given to the team that demonstrates outstanding teamwork, communication, and collaboration throughout the design, build, and competition process.
- Best Partner Team Award - Team A, Beaver Area/New Horizon School: Awarded to a team that has gone out of its way to help and collaborate with other teams, offering support, guidance, or assistance to ensure a successful event for everyone.
- Community Impact Award - Beaver/New Horizon Program: Recognizes a team that has used robotics as a tool for outreach, promoting STEM and inclusivity in their community. Teams must demonstrate how they have made a meaningful difference through community engagement.
- Judges' Inclusivity Award - Team Bumblebees, West Allegheny High School: This special award is given by the judges to a team that shows an exceptional commitment to inclusivity, creating a welcoming and supportive team environment for all members.
The development of Unified Robotics programs at Woodland Hills and the other participating districts is part of an effort to provide students with an environment that promotes respect, empathy, and collaboration between neurotypical and neurodiverse students. The programs are open to students of all abilities, with no robotics experience necessary. The Unified Robotics programs are adaptable to accommodate students of all backgrounds and needs in order to promote a diverse and inclusive environment.
Teams will continue to work on their skills and teamwork, as well as make adjustments to their robots, before competing again at Hopewell Area High School in early 2025.