KILLEEN The clock is ticking. The robots methodically move back and forth across the floor pushing items over the metal bar.

It is the VEX Starstruck competition and every second counts.

Copperas Cove High School is new to robotics competitions but held its own against teams from throughout the region at a contest hosted at Shoemaker High School, said teacher and robotics coach Tim Smith.

Our robotics team has been working on the robot since last November, Smith said. This is our first time to compete in VEX Robotics, and many of the other teams have been working on their robots since the end of last school year. We made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.

Rounds were two minutes long with the first 15 seconds being autonomous mode during which the robot must run by program only. The final one minute, 45 seconds were student-driven.

The programming necessary to run autonomously was a real challenge, but, we made it work, sophomore C.J. Penman said.

Robots had to be able to take plastic stars and bean bags and place them on the other side of a 21-to-26-inch-tall fence through the center of the field similar to a volleyball game.

CCHS teacher Ken Barnetts welding class built a practice field for the robotics team to hone its skills.

My favorite part of competing is working in the pits, repairing the robot and making sure it is at its best for upcoming rounds, said junior Ryan Laumand.

The robots maneuvered on a 12-foot playing surface while teams guided them through various engineering challenges. Top teams advance to regional events and ultimately to the world championship.

I was extremely proud of my team. We worked hard and were acknowledged by other teams for our efforts. We competed with larger teams with far more experience and still made it into the quarterfinals, Smith said. We are looking forward to next years VEX challenge, which should be released sometime around May of this year.

Originally posted here:

High school's new robotics team makes quarterfinals - The Killeen Daily Herald