CONTACT: Jonathan Fu
communications@lausd.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2023
Science Academy STEM Magnet Wins Worldwide Middle School Robotics Championship
Two Additional Teams Receive Worldwide Distinction for Robotics Performance
Los Angeles, CA (May 22, 2023) – Demonstrating innovation, teamwork and ingenuity, students from the Science Academy STEM recently earned first place in the VEX Robotics Middle School World Championship. Competing with 489 middle school teams across the world, Science Academy STEM’s Supernova Team Hydra won international distinction for their engineering and teamwork led by the work of eighth grade students Nicholas Mandryka and Eero Wolfe.
“Congratulations to Supernova Team Hydra for earning this important award,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Their work, along with the work of nine other qualifying teams from the Science Academy STEM Magnet, demonstrates consistent excellence from a program that nurtures innovation and exploration in the fields of technology and mathematics with real-world results. Thank you to our teachers, support staff and the community for helping elevate the true potential of our students.”
Adam Wolfe (parent), Nataliya Sayko (parent), Jodi Huff (Magnet Coordinator), Nicholas Mandryka, Eero Wolfe and Carlos Lauchu (Principal)
Hosted on an international stage, the VEX Robotics World Championship features competitions between robots designed, programmed and built by student teams. Robots are expected to complete a series of tasks autonomously while also attempting to disrupt the competing team’s robot. Science Academy STEM’s Supernova Team Hydra won the worldwide middle school competition in Dallas, Texas with an audience of nearly 20,000 spectators, showcasing exemplary performance in robotics and teamwork.
“Congratulations to everyone at the Science Academy STEM Magnet for demonstrating the best of what Los Angeles Unified has to offer,” Region North Superintendent Dr. David Baca said. “Winning first place in the VEX Robotics Middle School World Championship and sending ten qualifying teams is a testament to the work of our students, teachers and the entire Science Academy STEM community.”
In addition to Supernova Team Hydra, two additional student teams from the Science Academy STEM received worldwide distinction for robotics and engineering. Eighth grade students Shivaan Nigam, Liam Cahill and Lily Kelsay – from Team Calamity – won distinction for building a robot that demonstrates high overall quality. In addition, eighth graders Aidan Limketkai, Gabe Cooper and Aaron Park – from Team But, Y Not – received distinction for building a robot possessing overall reliability.
“I am extremely proud of my students, their accomplishments and the school community for their ongoing commitment to our school,” Science Academy STEM Principal Carlos Lauchu said. “Our students have demonstrated excellence at the international level and our entire school is immensely proud to have supported their work at the VEX Robotics World Championship.”
In total, the Science Academy STEM sent ten qualifying teams to the VEX Robotics World Championship, including two high school teams and eight middle school teams.
The Science Academy STEM Magnet is a public, college preparatory magnet school, serving students from sixth through twelfth grade. The school incorporates science, technology, engineering and mathematics into a rich curriculum that challenges students to develop critical thinking skills and knowledge that will enable them to excel in college and in life. You can learn more about the Science Academy STEM Magnet by visiting thescienceacademystemmagnet.org.
“Congratulations Team Supernova Hydra,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “What an exciting distinction. I am so proud of the way all of our Science Academy STEM teams represented Los Angeles at this year’s VEX Robotics World Championship. Thank you for using your talent and creativity to build the future.”
“I want to congratulate the Science Academy STEM Magnet Robotics team for their historic win at the VEX World Championship,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “The entirety of Board District 3 and Los Angeles Unified has rallied behind our students in displaying their knowledge and passion for the field of robotics and engineering. We look forward to watching this team grow and hope this win motivates other students to follow their passion, especially in STEM.”
“Kudos to our dedicated, hard-working students and to the faculty and staff of Science Academy STEM Magnet,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Robotics programs spark creativity, critical thinking and teamwork in our young people, giving them project-based learning opportunities. Huge wins such as this, highlight the essential role hands-on STEM programs play in our students’ creative and cognitive growth.”
“Congratulations to Science Academy STEM for taking first place at this year’s VEX Robotics Middle School World Championship,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Their outstanding performance shows us what is possible when our students have access to world-class innovation and the opportunity to build the technology of the future.”
“My enthusiastic congratulations to the students at the Science Academy STEM Magnet for their impressive win and to the educators who provided support along the way,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “This honor reflects the leadership, imagination and deep learning our students have developed working together in the STEM fields.”
“Congratulations to all our Science Academy STEM participants at the VEX Robotics World Championship and a little extra congratulations to our scholars who earned first place in the VEX Robotics Middle School World Championship,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “We are proud of our scholar teams for being recognized worldwide for distinction in engineering and robotics. This remarkable achievement is not only an immense pride for your school, families and district, but above all, a testament to all the collective hard work you all brought together as a team!”
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