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Tuscaloosa City Schools teams take five statewide robotics awards; Paul W. Bryant High posts perfect 300
Summary
Board recognized growth of districtwide robotics program and honored student teams after a University of Alabama-hosted statewide contest where Tuscaloosa teams won five of 12 awards, including a record-setting perfect score by Paul W. Bryant High School.
At a Tuscaloosa City Schools board meeting, district leaders and University of Alabama partners recognized student robotics teams that competed in a statewide autonomous robotics contest and won five of the 12 statewide awards.
The recognition highlighted a program that district staff say has expanded over the past decade to include teams at all district schools. "The contest started in 2011 with just 30 students," said Dr. Jeff Gray, professor of computer science at the University of Alabama, who runs the contest. "It's grown to over 300 students, and about 600 overall participants." Gray said this year's field included 58 teams and students from across Alabama.
The district noted that Tuscaloosa City Schools teams won five of the 12 awards at the event. Paul W. Bryant High School finished first in the high school division with a perfect score of 300, completing the competition in 52 minutes. "They scored a perfect 300," Gray said, describing the performance as unprecedented in the contest's history.
Katie Sedman, identified at the meeting as a robotics coach at Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary, described the elementary program: "We have 14 fifth graders that are on our robotics team. Ten of them were able to participate in the competition, but all 14 of them have been at practice every month, multiple times throughout the year working so hard, working together really well." The board and speakers emphasized teamwork and persistence as program goals alongside technical skills.
Several student competitors addressed the board, including seniors who described multiple years of participation and underclassmen who said they learned from older teammates. A university representative also announced that Paul W. Bryant High School students would be invited to interview for a campus research scholars program.
Board members and district staff thanked coaches, principals, parents and sponsors for supporting the program; Dr. Daria (transcript spelling) noted the program reflects a district strategic goal that every student be connected to a school activity. The board invited students and families to a group photo after the recognition.
The board's recognition was ceremonial; no formal vote or policy change was attached to the presentation.
