Crescent Elementary’s Robotics Teams Become State Champions and Advance to World Finals

Orange, CA – March 17, 2017 –Orange Unified is proud to announce that Crescent Elementary’s two Robotics teams, 15A Scoring Machine and 15B Crescent Crossovers, have become VEX Robotics State Champions based on their wins March 12th in Pomona, California. Teams A and B won the Alliance Teamwork Award; Team B also won Skills and Excellence Awards.  The two teams have now qualified to advance to the VEX World Finals in Kentucky this April.

Coached by Crescent teachers Jennie Bond and Natalie Carias, Team 15A Scoring Machine members include Andrew Nguyen, Elizabeth Teng, Rishi Patel, Ben Andrews, Devin Williams, Madison Kelly, Sasha Kim, Kiera Low and Sree Vadlamudi.   Team 15B’s Crescent Crossovers include Tanuj Basu, Joshua Teng, Ishan Trivedi, Duke Mullen, Kayal Shorey, Rohaan Trivedi, Tanish Basu, Jibril Dadabhoy, Sophia Gerges and Niyati Godha.

“Our dedicated Teacher Advisors Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Carias, parent volunteers and motivated students make for a winning combination this season,” stated Principal Shelé Tamaki.   "Our Robotics program demonstrates 21st century learning to increase and strengthen student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education while preparing our students to be college and career ready.”

The school's Robotics program is open to all students in grades three through six and eligibility to compete is based on an application process and a commitment to work and practice with the teams after school and on weekends.   The student teams work collaboratively in problem-solving, critical thinking, designing the STEM project and the building of robots in order to compete.  Sponsored by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, these VEX IQ competitions utilize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education as well as social skills to increase and enrich learning.

Click on an image below for the full-size photo.