LAWRENCE ROBOTICS TEAM EARNS JUDGE’S AWARD AT
REGIONAL COMPETITION
Elementary and middle school students place 4th in blended middle and high school tournament
Media Contact:
Jennifer Nigro
785-830-0036
Topeka, Kan. (Feb. 20, 2023) – Elementary and middle school students from Level Up Robots in Lawrence, Kan. took 4th place overall and brought home the Judge’s Award in the TCALC Vex Spin Up Blended Tournament, held February 18 at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers. The team, made up of four students in 5th through 8th grades, competed in a field that included 25 high school and eight middle school teams from across Kansas.
The Judge’s Award is given to a team deserving recognition for special accomplishments.
The Level Up team, made up of members Callum Gill, Charlotte Johnson, Winslow Parker and Wyatt Williamson, caught the judges’ eye due to their young age, independent decision-making despite their newness to robotics, competitive success, sportsmanship and strong collaboration skills.
“Our students have really bonded since they started learning and competing together five months ago,” said Tom Walton, head coach of Level Up Robots. “They listen to each other and make decisions together. Their success is truly a team effort.”
In addition to the Judge’s award, the team placed 4th overall, ranking higher than all other middle school teams and all but three high school teams.
“Going into a blended tournament with a strong field of experienced and highly competitive high school teams, we didn’t know what to expect,” Walton. “We really approached this competition as a learning experience for the kids. Their performance blew us away.”
The team’s 4th place ranking at the end of the qualifying rounds put them in position to select an alliance-mate and compete in the quarterfinals. They chose The Disc-o Turtles Team 755H, a high school team out of Lost Springs, Kan. That team was ranked 6th after the qualifying rounds.
The Level Up alliance won their quarterfinal match, but got knocked out in the semifinals by a higher-ranked alliance.
Level Up Robots offers classes and competition opportunities for upper elementary, middle and high school students for a monthly fee. For more information visit LevelUpRobots.com, or stop by during Level Up Robots’ business hours, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for a free session where they will build and drive a simple robot before joining.
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About Level Up Robots
At Level Up Robots, we know kids love robots, and we love how they make learning and mastering critical skills fun! We offer a variety of programs for upper-level elementary, middle and high school students focused on learning the fundamentals of robotics. The Level Up Robotics team is passionate about the impact STEAM education has on the social, emotional and educational development of kids, and we’ve seen first-hand how hands-on learning can engage students in new ways.
Level Up Robots is located at 1520 Wakarusa Drive, Suite E. Learn more at LevelUpRobots.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
