The Town Crier: Local News: Manila High School forms robotics team (10/27/12)

Robotics team members are Tanner Baker, Haven Bohannan, Rachel Braden, Justin Bratton, Jonathan Carr, Lindsey Carter, Jennifer Carroll, Alexis Cruz, J.R. Dehart, Kris Gann, Ashton Hale, Shae Hale, Lynn Lisk, Tristan McCain, Tabitha Parks, Tanner Platz, Zach Reinhart, Silas Ruddick, J.T. Shotwell, Tyler Smith, Geramie Stallings, Kolby Stokes and Landon Woody.

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For the first time ever, Manila High School has a competitive robotics team. After meeting with Dr. Ed Hammerand, computer science chair at Arkansas State University, the MHS science teachers Brandon Burgess and Cindy Bunch decided they would form a team to compete in the BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Robotics competition.

The team consists of ninth-12th grade students who work an average of 12 hours every week after school.

The BEST Robotics program allows students from all over the country to design, construct and market a robot that can complete various tasks and compete against area schools. The program is designed to get students more involved in engineering, science and technology. The BEST competition also includes creating an engineering notebook and presentation promoting the robot.

Manila's team participated in testing their robot, Lando, at Mall Day Oct. 13, where they had a successful run. The MHS team will compete Oct. 27 at ASU's Game Day held in the Convocation Center. The community is encouraged to attend.

The BEST Robotics competition provides the excitement of a basketball game, the strategy of a chess game, and the intellectual challenge of a science fair, so it promises to be an eventful experience.