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Bemidji students, coaches and boosters showcase VEX robotics program to school board
Summary
Students, coaches and Booster Club members described Bemidji’s VEX robotics program to the Bemidji Public School District board, highlighting student participation, competition results and plans for mentoring and summer camps.
Brian Anderson, the Bemidji VEX Robotics coach, told the Bemidji Public School District board on Aug. 17 that the program serves middle- and high-school students through competitive VEX V5 robotics and community outreach. "VEX competitions foster these skills and catalyze on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner," Anderson said.
Students described hands-on learning and personal benefits. "Robotics has meant meant a lot to me," said Eric Bittman, a senior who told the board he has competed locally, at state and at world championships and credits the program with shaping his interest in engineering. Student speakers said the program’s flexible schedule helps them balance robotics with other activities; several noted chances to attend state and world competitions and to meet peers from other countries.
Booster Club members and a volunteer coach outlined the program’s costs and community activities. Martin Shraga, a Booster Club board member who also coaches the middle school team, said the Booster Club covers material costs, travel and hotel expenses for competitions and supports multiple teams: "Each event is at least a $100 per team, and we send anywhere from 4 to 7 teams to every competition. We do 5 to 7 competitions throughout the year." The group highlighted outreach including the Paul Bunyan Tech Expo and an exhibitor slot at the Beltrami County Fair, where a student won a spot at the state fair.
Students asked the board for support for mentoring and expanded programming. Shraga said the organizers want to develop a stronger mentorship system so high school students can train middle school teams, run summer camps to prepare teams earlier in the season and expand elementary-level VEX IQ activities for second- and third-graders.
Board members and administrators thanked presenters and Booster Club volunteers. Several board members praised the program’s impact on student skills and post‑secondary opportunities. After the presentation the board moved on to other agenda items.
