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Livonia robotics program grows to 13 teams, highlights student competitions and community outreach
Summary
District staff and students updated the board on the Livonia Public Schools robotics program, which now operates 13 teams across elementary, middle and high schools, described recent competition results and named grants and community programs that support expansion.
Stacy Jenkins, a district staff member, told the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 27 that the district's robotics program has expanded to 13 teams across elementary, middle and high schools and summarized recent competition results and community outreach efforts.
The update, delivered at the board's communications segment, outlined program structure and outcomes. Isalina Carlini, the district robotics coordinator, and volunteers including Kelly Doumer and parent and staff mentors support teams from elementary First Lego League groups through FIRST high school teams. Jenkins said the district's original FIRST Robotics team, the Livonia Warriors (Team 2832), formed in 2009 and remains active; the Livonia Tyros is a newer team made up largely of freshmen and sophomores.
Board members heard detailed results from this fall's and off-season competitions. At the elementary level, Jenkins reported Buchanan Robo Bears placed 5th of 30 teams; Cleveland Robo Eagles placed 13th and won a robot-design award; Hoover Robo Rockets placed 11th and won the innovation-project award; and Kennedy Robo Stars finished 4th and won second place in the innovation project. Jenkins said one new elementary team, the Hays Robo Huskies, will compete in spring 2025 and that several returning teams will also participate.
Middle and high school results included the Frost Robo Falcons qualifying for state competition, finishing fourth at the state championship and, Jenkins said, ranked about 20th in the world. The Emerson Robo Eagles advanced to semifinals at regional play. Katherine Greenwald, captain of the Livonia Warriors, described the high school team's offseason and outreach: the Warriors attended six off-season competitions, hosted the Infinity Challenge (a six-week program funded by a City Foundation grant), and ran a three-week camera-and-vision workshop for team members. Greenwald said the Warriors will compete at Kettering March 6'8 and host a competition at Livonia Churchill March 27'9.
Program funding and community outreach were highlighted. Jenkins and Carlini said the team actively pursues grants and sponsorships: Jenkins described a Ford Vision grant of $7,200 that purchased cameras and infrared equipment and a $1,200 City Foundation grant to support the Infinity Challenge for students at Parkside, the Garfield Skills Center and the Johnson Center. Jenkins noted robotics costs are high and thanked mentors, volunteers and business partners for supporting equipment, travel and outreach efforts.
The board and district staff also discussed non-competitive entry points: the LPS Roboraptors Club provides a low-cost, non-competitive orientation for middle-school students who cannot join a competition team. Jenkins described the club as a way to give more students hands-on exposure to robotics and engineering.
Board members praised the program and asked about grant acquisition and community partnerships. Jenkins said the district searches for applicable grant opportunities and applies when appropriate. The board recognized mentors and volunteers in the gallery.
The update closed with student leaders describing their current build-season progress and goals: construction of the robot base, work on an elevator mechanism to reach the competition's scoring elements and plans to complete bumpers and attend the scheduled competitions. No board action was required.
