Washington High School’s state recognized Robotics Program demonstrated their accomplishments at Thursday’s School Board meeting. Four of the Robotics students, Amber Williams, Gabriel Latham, Brandon Valesquez, and Adam Arthur demonstrated two robots the students had planned, designed and constructed. Last year the WHS Robotics team received the Rookie All-Star award in their first year of state competition. Besides WHS teachers Matt Riney, Jennifer Peachee, and Jamie Strange, the students are mentored by several local local engineers and farmers giving them insight from real industry professionals. The robotics program has been recognized with grants from Toyota, the Department of Defense-NWSC Crane, NASA, Bayer in Evansville, and a grant from Title IV Part A. The program has expanded to the point where there is not enough classroom and lab space and students are working in the hallways. The Board members were told the robotics program needs significantly more space. Washington Superintendent, Dr. Dan Roach, said the robotics program is very popular and it is common for as many as 40 students to stay after school working on projects, sometimes staying until 8 pm to work on the Robots and projects. Riney said that WHS is adding a second Advanced Placement Computer Science class next year along with the three Computer Science classes already offered to WHS students. Washington is one of the few Indiana high schools, and the only school in the local area offering all three Project Lead the Way disciplines, computer science, biomedical science, and engineering.
WHS Robotics students, Amber Williams Adam Arthur, and Gabriel Latham listen as Brandon Valesquez talks about planning a robot. Two of the robots built by the class for this year’s competition. The WHS team received recognition in their first competition last year. This is the third year for the Robotics Program at WHS.
