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Alachua County Team Takes Second In Statewide Robotics Competition

(From left) Purple Penguins coach David Sankey stands with team members Andrew Dodds, Aaditya Vyas and Josh Williams-Caldwell after placing second in the statewide robotics competition Sunday in Tampa. The fourth team member, Cory Smith, isn't pictured. (Photo courtesy Alachua County Public Schools)
(From left) Purple Penguins coach David Sankey stands with team members Andrew Dodds, Aaditya Vyas and Josh Williams-Caldwell after placing second in the statewide robotics competition Sunday in Tampa. The fourth team member, Cory Smith, isn't pictured. (Photo courtesy Alachua County Public Schools)

Have you heard the one about the purple penguin building a robot?

The Purple Penguin robotics team, from Abraham Lincoln Middle School in Gainesville, earned a spot in the VEX IQ World Competition in Louisville, Kentucky, in April after placing second in the statewide robotics competition Sunday in Tampa.

The team consists of students Andrew Dodds, Josh Williams-Caldwell, Aaditya Vyas and Cory Smith, according to an Alachua County Public Schools press release.

The team was tasked with building a robot that solved an engineering challenge, which was presented in the form of a game. Teams could also earn additional points by demonstrating the quality of their robot and their robot-maneuvering skills.

Purple Penguin coach David Sankey, a robotics teacher at Lincoln middle, said in the release that he’s proud of his team.

“They didn’t anticipate placing, but they proved that with consistent results and tons of practice, anything is possible,” Sankey said in the release. “There are many paths to success and the kids just have to find a way.”

Ten Alachua County elementary and middle schools have competed in VEX IQ competitions since the district established its robotics program as part of Superintendent Dr. Owen Roberts’ STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Initiative less than six months ago.

“I’m so proud of the accomplishments of these students and their coaches, especially after such a short period of time,” Roberts said in the release. “They have taken this program and run with it, and I’m looking forward to what they will be accomplishing in the next few months and years.”

Two other Alachua County teams — VEX Ave., also from Lincoln middle, and the Furious Four from Joseph Williams Elementary in Gainesville — also earned spots in the VEX IQ World Competition.

Bradley is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.