{"id":621730,"date":"2024-02-27T11:28:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=press-release&p=621730"},"modified":"2024-02-27T11:28:43","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:28:43","slug":"competitive-robotics-in-wv-reaches-all-time-high","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/competitive-robotics-in-wv-reaches-all-time-high\/","title":{"rendered":"Competitive Robotics in WV reaches all-time high"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>FAIRMONT \u2013 Competitive Robotics in West Virginia has reached an all-time high with more teams across the state than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The West Virginia Robotics Alliance, managed by the Education Resource Center (ERC) team at the NASA Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility, released new data for the 2023-24 Robotics Season that shows a peak in the number of teams and steady growth over the last several years.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1487\" height=\"781\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?w=1487\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A graphic showing the most recent number of robotics teams in West Virginia by year and highlighting the all-time high achieved in the 2023-24 season.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 38% 50%; object-position: 38% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png 1487w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=768,403 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=1024,538 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=400,210 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=600,315 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=900,473 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?resize=1200,630 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1487px) 100vw, 1487px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Number of Robotics Teams in WV<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe ERC assumed management of the FIRST LEGO League tournament in 2011 when we had barely 50 teams in West Virginia,\u201d ERC Program Manager Dr. Todd Ensign said. \u201cToday, there are over 550 teams that engage approximately 3,000 students almost daily!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the data, the overall number of robotics teams in the state has risen every year since 2011 \u2013 with one exception during the 2020-21 season when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ERC now runs qualifying events every weekend, numerous state championships, invitational tournaments, and international competitions. Ensign and many other figures within the ERC and Robotics Alliance have championed robotics events and opportunities for students across the state, including in some of its most rural communities, to help reach this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is indeed an achievement on behalf of the students, coaches, parents, schools and districts who are supporting competitive robotics,\u201d Ensign said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With such exponential growth, Ensign says more volunteers are needed to support current and future events. Positions are available for people of all ages and levels of prior experience. To learn more about how to volunteer, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvrobot.org%2Fvolunteer&data=05%7C02%7Cmichael.a.asbury%40nasa.gov%7C252a339b68904ab923aa08dc37a73599%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C638446438490350372%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FFnrDyKrbIhzXc3RUJ4Ow3%2F3o67y0dqhrCmnDsT%2Fm30%3D&reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.wvrobot.org\/volunteer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A major development in West Virginia\u2019s robotics landscape came in 2021 when the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) recognized robotics as a co-curricular activity. This update made it possible for students to receive a varsity letter in robotics, gaining recognition similar to those earned in marching band or other sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the WVSSAC recognition was announced, many at the ERC had high hopes for what it would mean to further STEM and robotics in West Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hope recognition from the WVSSAC will increase the number of schools throughout West Virginia participating in competitive robotics,\u201d John Holbrook, of the ERC, said at the time. \u201cUltimately, our goal is to see robotics teams from every county of West Virginia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And with the new milestone reached in participation, those goals are closer than ever before. Many events are upcoming as the 2023-24 robotics season continues, including what is set to be the largest VEX State Championship in West Virginia history, March 10-16, at the Fairmont State University Falcon Center and the WVSSAC Robotics State Championship, April 6, at Herbert Hoover High School, in Elkview, West Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a full list of upcoming events: <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvrobot.org%2Fevents&data=05%7C02%7Cmichael.a.asbury%40nasa.gov%7C252a339b68904ab923aa08dc37a73599%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C638446438490363294%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cNeC7YmeFn8DqLPhzT6TP6mD%2FC7uveXy%2BrFq8Zd0JK8%3D&reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\">WV Robotics Alliance – Upcoming Events<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FAIRMONT \u2013 Competitive Robotics in West Virginia has reached an all-time high with more teams across the state than ever before. The West Virginia Robotics Alliance, managed by the Education Resource Center (ERC) team at the NASA Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility, released new data for the 2023-24 Robotics Season that shows a peak in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":621750,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2859],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3916],"coauthors":[8625],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Competitive Robotics in WV reaches all-time high","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/competitive-robotics-in-wv-reaches-all-time-high\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/competitive-robotics-in-wv-reaches-all-time-high\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michael Asbury"}],"creator":["Michael Asbury"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Katherine Johnson IV and V Facility"],"dateCreated":"2024-02-27T16:28:43Z","datePublished":"2024-02-27T16:28:43Z","dateModified":"2024-02-27T16:28:43Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Competitive Robotics in WV reaches all-time high\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/competitive-robotics-in-wv-reaches-all-time-high\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-02-27T16:28:43Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Katherine Johnson IV and V Facility\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Michael Asbury\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"featured_image":{"id":621750,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024.png","title":"ivv-erc-robotics-stats-2024","alt":"A graphic showing the most recent number of robotics teams in West Virginia by year and highlighting the all-time high achieved in the 2023-24 season.","caption":"Number of Robotics Teams in WV"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/621730"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/621730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621802,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/621730\/revisions\/621802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/621750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=621730"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=621730"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=621730"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=621730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}