April 2021 | Vol. 01 Iss. 02
FREE CENTERVILLE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS BECOME ROBOTIC TECHS Byline
By Peri Kinder - peri.k@davisjournal.com
W
The Centerville Junior High School Robotics Team is proud of what they have accomplished this year. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle
Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.
hile students in the Centerville Junior High robotics program build robots, the skills they’re learning will help build their future. Three years ago, science teacher and tech geek Delia Bayna founded the CJHS robotics team to offer students a chance to collaborate, build connections and problem solve; all skills she says students need for success in the 21st-century. “I’m just a big nerd,” Bayna said. “I love STEM. I ended up with a STEM endorsement from Weber State. It just became a passion. They didn’t have a program here at Centerville Junior High. Since I had the knowledge, it was easy for me to do it.” The program has grown from one team in 2018, to six teams this year. Students in all grades are welcome to participate as coders, designers and builders all work together to meet the VEX IQ Robotics challenge. Last year, the program had two SeaPerch Underwater Robotics teams win at the district level, continuing on to the Nationals in Maryland. However, COVID put a stop to that competition, as the team was unable to travel. Three VEX IQ Robotics teams from CJHS made it into the top 16 this year, competing in the finals match in February at North Layton Junior High, and one team is preparing to compete in the virtual national competition. “It’s quite exciting to see the students excited about competing,” Bayna said. “It’s great to see them succeed.” More than 60 countries and 24,000 teams participate in the robotics program, designed to reach students from elementary school through college and introduce them to science, technology, engineering and math in an engaging and enthusiastic way. Continued page 4
Thank You to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals
Presort Std U.S. Postage PAID Ogden, UT Permit #190