Holz Robotics Teams headed to WORLD COMPETITION!
What is the VexIQ robotics program at Holz Elementary?
The Holz Elementary robotics program is comprised of 8 students and 3 coaches. Our kids make up two individual teams, Team A: "Holz Volts" and Team B: "Nerd is the Word." We were fortunate enough that these teams earned TWO of the FIVE coveted West Virginia spots at the World Championship competition. Our students will represent Holz Elementary and West Virginia in this 12th Annual World Competition that includes the best teams from more than 30 countries! Both teams are comprised of 4th and 5th-grade students that were all brand new to robot competition at the start of this school year. On February 23rd, 2019, at the West Virginia VexIQ State Championship, the teams won several awards and secured their hard-earned seats at the World Championships. In just a few short weeks, our teams will enter this competition and be given the opportunity to work cooperatively with teams from around the globe. 
Having some fun in-between events at the 2019 West Virginia VexIQ Elementary State Championship (Team A and B). 
Fabian, Gabby C., Gabby L., and Parker (Team A) receive the S.T.E.M. research project award at the 2019 VexIQ State Championship.
Why should you support the Holz Elementary Robotics program?
By donating to our GoFundMe you will be providing our kids with the opportunity of a lifetime. Our students will be competing in VexIQ World Championship in Louisville, KY on April 27-30th and it will be by far their most exciting competition to date! The road to making Worlds has been a challenging one and our kids have put countless hours into improving their robot, strategy, and programming in order to qualify for this competition. Our kids regularly practice robotics 3-4 times per week (which has included many Saturdays!) with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Competition. Their hard work has finally led to this culminating opportunity and we are so proud of all they have accomplished! We hope that your generosity and support will allow us to be able to minimize the costs associated with lodging, food, transportation, and other activities that our kids will participate in at the World competition. At Worlds, not only will our kids be representing their home school, Holz Elementary, but they will proudly represent the state of West Virginia as well as the United States as they compete against others from across the globe, in this exciting and educational sport where they show seemingly endless enthusiasm.
William and Jimmy (Team B) make final adjustments to their robot on the day of the state competition. 
Parker and Fabian (Team A ) compete in an alliance match at the 2019 West Virginia VexIQ Elementary State Championship.
What is VexIQ Robotics?
The VEX IQ Challenge, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, provides students ages 8 through 14 with exciting, open-ended robotics engineering and research challenges that engage students and enhance their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills through hands-on, student-centered learning. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60-second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible under driver control; and Programming Skills Challenge, where one robot scores as many points as possible autonomously, without any driver inputs. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring Hubs in building zones, by removing hubs from the hanging structure, and by hanging. Awards are given to students based on many different Criteria.
Holz Elementary Robotics Team A competes in the 2019 KCS Appy Invitational at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum
Team A and B win the teamwork challenge as they are paired together as alliances for the finals of the 2019 KCS Vex IQ League B Championship
Award Summaries and Team History
Below you will see a summary of the awards given out at the VexIQ competitions, including each of the awards our teams have earned.
Teamwork Champion Award: The Teamwork Champion Award is presented to each of the two teams on the winning alliance in the Teamwork Challenge Finals Matches.
1st Place awarded to Team B at the 2019 KCS VEX IQ League B Championship
1st Place awarded to Team A at the 2019 KCS VEX IQ League B Championship
2nd Place awarded to Team B at the 2019 West Virginia VEX IQ Elementary State Championship
S.T.E.M. Research Project Award: This award is presented to the team that shares the most effective STEM Research Project video submission.
Awarded to Team A at the 2019 KCS VEX IQ League B Championship
Awarded to Team A at the 2019 West Virginia VEX IQ Elementary State Championship
Robot Skills Champion Award: This award is presented to the team with the highest combined Programming Skills Challenge and Driving Skills Challenge score.
Awarded to Team B at the 2019 KCS VEX IQ League B Championship
Awarded to Team A at the 2019 KCS Appy Invitational
Awarded to Team A at the 2019 West Virginia VEX IQ Elementary State Championship
Design Award: This recipient demonstrates the ability to implement the most effective and efficient robot design process. Their Engineering Notebook and discussion with the judges will demonstrate the team’s ability to produce a quality robot with minimal adult assistance.
Excellence Award: The Excellence Award is the highest award presented in the VEX IQ Challenge. This award is presented to a team that exemplifies overall excellence in creating a high-quality VEX robotics program. This team is a strong contender in numerous award categories.
Awarded to Team B at the 2019 KCS VEX IQ League B Championship
Awarded to Team A at the 2019 West Virginia VEX IQ Elementary State Championship 
Kinley, Charlotte, and Jimmy (Team B) interview at the 2019 West Virginia VexIQ Elementary State Championships
Gabby L. and Gabby C. (Team A) compete in an alliance match at the 2019 West Virginia VexIQ Elementary State Championship.
