Hard Elementary Students Showcase Coding Skills During Robotics Challenges

BESSEMER, Ala. — Students at Charles F. Hard Elementary celebrated Computer Science Education Week by putting their coding and logic skills to the test in a series of robotics competitions.

The event featured two distinct challenges: a Dash Robotics Challenge for older students and a Bee-Bot Robotics Competition for primary grades. Participants used computational thinking and perseverance to program their robots to complete tasks and solve complex problems.

In the Dash Robotics Challenge, third-grade winners included Chance W. in first place, McKenzie P. in second and Te’Miyah M. in third. The fourth-grade division saw De’Aubrey B. take the top spot, followed by Khloe T. and Evelyn M. In the fifth-grade category, Josiah H. earned first place, while Kaleb C. and Kemaurion B. tied for second. Kadrick H. placed third.

The Bee-Bot competition highlighted the skills of the school’s youngest coders. First-grade winners were Taylor S. in first, Alexander in second and Hugo S. in third. Second grade saw a four-way tie for first place among Julio M., Kha’Darriyus A., Jordan M. and Jordan C.

School administrators praised the students for rising to the challenge and demonstrating teamwork.

“We are so proud of our future coders and problem-solvers,” school officials said, noting that the competitions showcased the power of integrating technology into the elementary curriculum.

The event was part of a national initiative to inspire students to pursue interests in computer science and technology.