The event features groups of students working together to make their robots move objects around. The groups compete against other groups of students.

There were five Warren teams among the 22 teams at the competition Jan. 9 at North Clarion Jr. Sr. High School.

Team 52575D Junior Dragons III — Oliver Varner, Isaac Zapel, Donald Anderson, and Madeline Wertz — won a Judges Award.

“The Judges Award recognizes attributes that may not fit in other award categories and the Judges felt were deserving of special recognition,” Advisor Arthur Anderson said. “Key criteria of the Judges Award are:

Close up of VEX trophy

Team displays special attributes, exemplary effort, or perseverance at the event;

Team overcomes an obstacle or challenge and achieves a goal or special accomplishment.

Team interview demonstrates effective communication skills, teamwork, professionalism, and a student-centered ethos.”

“All students are natural scientists and engineers,” according to the VEX website. “They love to question, tinker, experiment and play.”

“VEX competitions foster these skills and capitalize on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner,” according to VEX. “The VEX Robotics competition prepares students to become future innovators with 95 percent of participants reporting an increased interest in STEM subject areas and pursuing STEM-related careers.”

“The Warren Teams have 3 more competitions to qualify for the Western PA State Championships which will be held at Clarion University in March,” Anderson said. The next is Jan. 21 in DuBois.