Katy ISD students showcase robotics, board hears Shaw Center report ahead of state competitions
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Summary
Students from multiple Katy ISD high schools demonstrated robots, highlighted the Robert R. Shaw Center for STEAM’s role in team growth and thanked the district for support; trustees heard a brief report and recognized students headed to state competitions.
Katy Independent School District trustees heard a presentation Monday on the Robert R. Shaw Center for STEAM and watched robotics teams from across the district introduce robots they will take to state competition this week.
Steve Adams, facility coordinator for the Shaw Center, told the board the center celebrates its 10th anniversary and provides field-trip experiences for third- and seventh-graders and workspace and support for high school robotics teams. "Even as we speak, they're back there building robots," Adams said.
Student representatives from teams at Cinco Ranch, May Creek, 7 Lakes, Tompkins, Jordan, Martin Ridge and other high schools briefly described technical features of their robots and acknowledged shared resources at the Shaw Center. Cinco Ranch students noted a newly redesigned end effector; Martin Ridge emphasized structural integrity and use of custom C&C parts; Tompkins presenters highlighted programming and autonomous routines.
Several student speakers said the Shaw Center’s collaborative environment — teams can see and assist one another in the glass‑walled work areas — has accelerated new teams’ learning curves. "As the newest team in Katy ISD, we rapidly grew into an organization with over a hundred students because access to the Shaw Center enabled our team to learn from more experienced teams," said Mei Chen, Golden Warriors Robotics strategy officer.
Trustees praised the students and the mentors. Board members said the center’s facilities and volunteer mentors — some of whom have supported teams for decades — have helped the district produce teams that compete regionally and at world events. Trustee comments referenced a recent mentor-of-the-year recognition and ongoing construction to add four new bays at the center, which the board funded through a voter-approved bond.
The board did not take formal action on the report. Students immediately returned to work at the center and many teams are scheduled to compete at the George R. Brown Convention Center and other regional events later this week.
