Pulaski County elementary robotics team needs help to make history

BURNSIDE, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Burnside Bots, a fourth- and fifth-grade robotics team at Burnside Elementary School, is making history again.

The club has the chance to represent Kentucky on the global stage. But the cost of travel is standing in its way.

One of three robotics teams at Burnside has qualified for the world robotics tournament in Dallas in May. Their robotics coach said it hasn’t been an easy road to get to where they are. Registration alone costs $1,800; that’s why the team is fundraising for the trip.

519X, also nicknamed the Computer Chips, is a team that designs robots from the ground up, having them complete whatever task is at hand. The team is made up of all fifth graders: Kyleigh Davis, Norah Light, Tom Crockett, and Carter Cox.

“We work together as a team, by sometimes pitching in and do the same thing, like for example, designing our robot and helping build parts, like put the parts on to the robot and each of us have individual roles,” said Kyleigh.

Their coach and teacher, Amanda Cox, said the group of students competes monthly and has been working together since the beginning of the school year.

“They’re constantly having to identify problems, figure out ways to solve those problems, and then they have to communicate with each other and find ways to get those problems solved,” said Cox.

VEX robotics presents a different challenge each year; this year’s game is called rapid relay.

“It’s kind of a mix between soccer and basketball with the robots. They have three yellow balls that they actually have to pass from one robot to another and then shoot into a goal to score points,” said Cox.

While each game is 60 seconds, each teammate helps contribute in his or her way.

“So, there are four positions: programming, driving, note booking, and loading. I mostly do the loading and note booking,” said Norah.

“I chose designing because I like designing robots, and I think it’s cool,” said Crockett.

Cox said this group of kids is dedicated and devotes a lot of teamwork, after-school and recess hours into this activity.

“We’re kind of depending on the community to help us out and help them get to the world championship and make their mark. You know, they’re representing Kentucky, and we want to get them there and see what they can do,” said Cox.

The robotics world championship is from May 12 to 15. Cox and her students hope they can raise enough money to compete and bring home the gold. For a link on how you can help, click here.