FAIRMONT — NASA’s Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Program Education Resource Center (ERC) successfully conducted two robotics events recently, furthering the presence of competitive robotics programs in the state.
The events were led by the IV&V’s ERC, which is managed by Fairmont State University’s College of Science and Technology, and were groundbreaking, first of their kind in West Virginia, and specifically utilized IV&V services to recruit and provide training and materials to students.
On May 13, the ERC hosted the pilot West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) Robotics State Championship at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center in Charleston, West Virginia.
Thirty-five teams made up of two to 10 students each made for a rough total of 350 students participating. The students worked year-round to prepare their robot for this innovative event, according to ERC Program Manager Todd Ensign.
“We were able to have a fantastic event and we were sold out,” he said.
This event was slated for 2020, but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through significant collaboration and planning, as well as safety protocols including screening, mask-wearing, and livestreaming in lieu of spectators, the championship was able to happen safely in person.
“We initially didn’t think there would be any chance we would be able to have an in person demonstration this year,” Ensign said, adding that it was a great success.
In the same week on May 15, the ERC hosted an REC Foundation Aerial Drones Competition (RADC) event at the Huntington Tri-State Airport. This Showcase event was sponsored by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, Leidos, and the Robert C. Byrd Institute. It was an opportunity for students in grades six through 12 to test their autonomous programming and piloting skills with drones.
This was the first event of its kind to take place in West Virginia and of 11 groups participating in the competition, six were from West Virginia schools. According to Ensign, because it was able to be conducted in person when many events were not, the tournament ended up being the largest RADC event held in the 2020-2021 season.
The ERC is continuing to support robotics for students through availability in summer camps. The center will be running a hands-on face-to-face camp destination camp, and a remote virtual camp in the coming months for students who are interested in learning more about STEM and getting involved in robotics. For more information, please contact Todd.Ensign@FairmontState.edu or visit http://www.wvroboticsalliance.org/2021-vex-bootcamp/
Clarissa R. Cottrill
Jr. Communications Specialist
Clarissa.r.cottrill@nasa.gov