Pictured is the Marshalltown High School robotics team at the super qualifier event held in Johnston on February 2. The team has qualified for the state robotics meet. Pictured in front row, from left are, Coach Yan Qiu, Alex Stansberry, Jordan May, Morgan Johnson and Coach Mike Lazere. Back row, Marek Jablonski, Zach Geil, Jesse Serrano (mentor), Andrew Kodis, Luke Wymore, Bill Peden (mentor), Coach Susan Fritzell and Coach Dori Pinkerton. (Not pictured: Jacob Swartz, Heather Junk, Jose Palmerin Andrade and Ana Palmerin Andrade)
The Marshalltown High School robotics team, known as the Botcats, qualified for the First Tech Challenge state robotics meet after competing in the super qualifier in Johnston on February 2.
The super qualifier was an all-day event with the team giving an oral presentation, networking in “the pits” with 23 other teams and competing with their robot to complete the “Rover Ruckus” challenge. Of the 24 teams competing, 14 advanced to the state contest. The teams with the top eight scoring robots advanced, but the remaining six teams advanced due to special awards.
The MHS team won the Connect Award, which allowed the team to advance to state. This judged award is given to the team that most connects with their local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community. MHS will now prepare for the state contest on February 22 and 23 in Coralville with 16 teams from across the state participating.
