P.K. Yonge Robotics Team wins Engineering Inspiration Award and NASA Sponsorship

P.K. Yonge’s Roaring Riptide robotics team

Press release from P.K. Yonge Roaring Riptide robotics team

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School Roaring Riptide robotics team earned the prestigious FIRST Regional Engineering Inspiration Award at the 2024 FIRSTĀ® Robotics Tallahassee Regional Competition and a NASA-sponsored registration to the World Championship Competition.

The Engineering Inspiration Award acknowledges a teamā€™s extraordinary efforts to foster enthusiasm and engagement in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) among young people. Roaring Riptide stood out for their innovative outreach initiatives, dedication to mentorship, and commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEAM. The team competed against 44 teams from five states.

EnsemBill, P.K. Yonge’s robot for this season, competes at the Tallahassee Regional Competition

Roaring Riptideā€™s outreach efforts have reached beyond the confines of their team, extending into schools, community centers, and outreach events where they have sparked curiosity and passion for STEAM fields among young minds. Through interactive workshops, demonstrations, and mentorship programs, they have played a pivotal role in nurturing the talents of future engineers, scientists, designers, healthcare specialists, and leaders.

ā€œAs the Lifeguards of 4118, we use the problem-solving skills gained from FIRST to enact change in our community with our local, state, and national outreach efforts. Our #FIRSTwithAT initiative is where our heart is, which is where we design and develop Assistive Technology solutions to improve the quality of life and increase accessibility for people with disabilities. When weā€™re able to adapt and deliver toys to kids in our community, we see the look of wonder and excitement in their eyes when they are finally able to play with a toy thatā€™s accessible to them. Weā€™re a high school robotics team that builds robots, but the most important thing to us is that FIRST is so much MORE than robots,ā€ said Joseph Santiago, P.K. Yonge junior and Roaring Riptide team lead.

Roaring Riptide will compete at the 2024 FIRSTĀ® Robotics World Championship Competition in Houston, Texas April 17-20.

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