Pulaski County elementary robotics team on its way to make history

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) The Burnside Bots, a 4th and 5th grade robotics team, at Burnside Elementary are once again making history.

“We focus a lot on having an engineering mindset, learning to collaborate and communicate, and being able to problem solve, I tell my kids all the time. You know, even if you don’t grow up to be an engineer, you’re learning how to problem-solve and talk to other people. And no matter what you choose to do, that will help you in the long run,” Amanda Cox, the robotics coach, said.

The state championship was held on March 2nd. There were 42 competitive elementary teams, and the top 18 competed for 5 state titles and 3 qualifying spots to the world championship. 5-1-9-x, a team within the Burnside Bots, was awarded the overall excellence award, which qualified it for the world competition.

The team designs robots from the ground up, having them complete whatever task is at hand.

“I just wanted to do something like meet new people and drive robots, because at the time I was really interested in robots and I was trying to find a hobby to do. And then I joined robotics, and then I just found out that it was really fun,” Kyleigh Davis, a 4th grader on the team, said.

“It builds our teamwork by meeting new people and telling them what we do, and then they tell us what they do,” Thomas Crockett, a 4th grader on the team, said.

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But it hasn’t been an easy road to get to where they are. The team is fundraising for the trip, as registration alone costs $1,800.

“Our principal has been like a big help this year with like getting to all the places and like getting us places to stay to go to the competitions,” Carter Cox, a 4th grader on the team, said.

They want to thank everyone who has supported them on their journey and are excited to bring home a trophy.

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