Bridgeport robotics team puts best technological foot forward

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport school robotics teams are creating, computing, cogitating, and mechanizing their way through another season of innovations and competitions, according to instructor, Ian Hughes.
Bridgeport’s five-student teams are comprised of 18 high school students and 25 middle schoolers who have participated in seven middle school and eight high school events so far this season.
“We have competed against Wenatchee, Oroville, Westside HS, Quincy, Evergreen MS, Highland, Wahluke, Mt Stuart, Foothills, Orchard MS, and a number of private teams.” Said Hughes. “The competitions are hosted by Central Washington University and some of the schools they work with on the GEAR UP grant.”
According to the website https://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup, the GEAR UP grant
is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools.
GEAR UP grantees serve an entire group of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the group through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
Hughes said the larger schools like Wenatchee “and some of the private teams” have proven to be the toughest competitors.
Competition has been on hiatus until February when Hughes said activity will again ramp up.
“This year we are competing in VEX “In the Zone” (Highschool) Hughes said. and referenced website:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yo_mlR1VJU) for those who want to learn more about the competition.
Bridgeport will also compete in VEX “Ringmaster” (Middle School) which can be viewed on website (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7suUUs7fsU).