Georgia Brown robotics teams earn top awards at regional competition
– Georgia Brown Dual Immersion School’s robotics program earned multiple top awards in its first year, with both its elementary and junior high teams advancing to higher-level competitions, according to the most recent edition of the Paso Proud newsletter published by the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.
The program, launched in September, sent two teams—an elementary team of fourth graders and a junior high team made up of sixth- and seventh-grade students—to compete in the Santa Maria Winter Wonderland Robotics Open Competition on Dec. 13. The event brought together 46 teams from across the Central Coast.
Students spent several months designing, programming and building robots to compete in challenges that required both remote-controlled and fully autonomous operation. During timed matches, teams worked collaboratively to pick up, stack and move objects while earning points through strategy, precision and problem-solving. All robots were built and coded by students, with teachers serving as mentors throughout the process.
Competing against more than 30 elementary teams, Georgia Brown’s fourth-grade team earned the Overall Teamwork Champion Award, Robot Skills Champion Award and Design Award. The team’s modified clawbot, nicknamed “Lobster,” scored more than twice as many points as the next highest competitor.
That performance qualified the elementary team for the Southern California State Championships, scheduled for March 13–14 at UC Irvine. Results at the state competition will determine whether the team advances to the World Championship in St. Louis later this spring.
Georgia Brown’s junior high team also reached the finals and earned the Innovation Award for the design of its robot, “Bot-Zilla.” The team recorded the highest autonomous score of all 46 teams, with the robot completing tasks using only student-written code and no driving.
Altogether, Georgia Brown teams brought home four of the competition’s top awards, more than any other school at the event.
“It was a wildly successful day, and I’m still processing what happened,” said Jon-Paul Ewing, robotics club advisor and science teacher. “Our students were fantastic—handling setbacks with maturity and showing outstanding sportsmanship with their fellow competitors.”
Student participants said the experience went beyond awards.
“I really enjoyed learning how robots work and getting to meet other kids from all over,” said Evelyn Maxted, a sixth-grade member of the junior high team.
The robotics program was supported through community partnerships. The Paso Robles Education Association donated $1,600 to purchase competition kits. The Georgia Brown PTO covered the contest entry fee of $310 and $70 in practice arena costs. Principal Cristina Velasco used school donation funds to cover team registration fees and transportation totaling $500.
As the teams prepare for the state championships, they are working to raise $2,000 to help cover the $350 state entry fee, travel expenses and new pneumatic kits to further upgrade their robots.
“Our students are fired up, and I’m doing everything I can to keep up with their energy and ambition,” Ewing said. “They’re already brainstorming ways to make their designs even stronger for state. The community’s support makes all of this possible.”
Community members and local businesses interested in contributing can contact Ewing at jpewing@pasoschools.org.
