The Triumph of Perseverance: Omaha Public Schools’ Bluestem Middle School Robotics Team Heads to VEX Championships.

Omaha Public Schools’ Bluestem Middle School is sending a team to the VEX Robotics World Championships for the first time in about a decade. Six dedicated students from the new school have been working hard on their robot under the guidance of coach Sheri Cohen Vollmer. The team started with 36 interested students, but only 6th and 7th graders remain on the team as eighth graders have yet to populate the school.

The VEX challenge this year involves creating a robot no larger than 18x18x18 inches and scoring points by getting “tri-balls” into the opposite goal. The students start with basic materials like nuts, bolts, and metal, and have to build and program the robot on their own. Despite facing setbacks like having to dismantle their robot due to size restrictions, the team persevered.

Coach Cohen Vollmer describes robotics as the “sport of failing forward,” emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes. The focus for the team is not just on winning, but on having fun and learning from the experience. By participating in robotics, the students are not only gaining technical skills but also valuable life lessons. They learn how to work together as a team, communicate effectively, problem-solve and think creatively. Through this journey they are also learning about perseverance, resilience and grit which will serve them well in all areas of their lives