Park Center robotics wraps up fall season at state

Park Center Senior High (PCSH)’s Golden Pirates robotics teams wrapped up their fall season with a strong showing at the FIRST Tech Challenge State Tournament, competing against 56 of the top teams in Minnesota.

PCSH fielded three FIRST Tech Challenge teams this year, and one team, the Marooned Golden Pirates, advanced to the state tournament, where they won second place in the REACH Award. The REACH Award recognizes teams that go beyond competition by mentoring others, engaging in community outreach and expanding access to STEM learning. 
 

A member of one of PCSH’s other robotics teams, Chris Onipede of the Skeleton Crew of the Golden Pirates, was honored at state as one of just two students statewide to receive a coding scholarship from Stratasys, recognizing excellence in programming and software design. 

Now that the fall season has concluded, PCSH robotics will be busy with FIRST Robotics competition in the months ahead. Maple Grove Senior High School’s robotics team also competes with FIRST Robotics, while Osseo Senior High’s teams compete in VEX Robotics competitions. 

Robotics complements the district’s expanding Career and Technical Education programming, including the new robotics and automation course aligned to local manufacturing needs and the increasing sensor and coding components in modern vehicles. These experiences prepare students for high-wage, high-demand, high-skilled careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing.