Pictured are members of the Chautauqua Lake Central School VEX Robotics team, left to right; Devin Kelsey, Zach Braun, Evan Riedesel, Anthony Powell, Nate Henry, Logan Ludwig, Charles Curtis, Lincoln Smith, Bennett Birkner, and teacher Alex Reyda. Submitted photo

MAYVILLE — Throughout the school year, students that make up the VEX Robotics team at Chautauqua Lake Central School have competed in four major robotics tournaments, and their successes there have led them to qualify for the VEX World Championships in the coming months.

The VEX Robotics platform offers educational and competitive robotics programs and products for students from elementary onward, fostering STEM learning through hands-on robotics experiences. From the fall, students have worked to design, build, and test robots for this year’s VEX challenge. The four previous major tournaments they have competed in this school year include tournaments at Harborcreek, Canisius High School, Elmira High School, and Rochester Institute of Technology.

Each tournament involved forming alliances of two robots per match, requiring teams to show their teamwork and strategy skills, earning them three finalist awards and one championship title. Now the team will be traveling to Dallas, Texas, from May 6 to 9 for the VEX World Championships.

“Through months of dedication, creativity, and problem-solving, this team has built a robotics program that exceeded everyone’s expectations,” Chautauqua Lake Superintendent Josh Liddell said. “Their impressive achievements not only ranks them among the top robotics teams in the country but also brings great pride to our school community as they prepare to compete on the international stage.”

Each year, VEX Robotics develops a new competition with specific rules, size, and power constraints. Chautauqua Lake students must develop a game strategy to guide their robot design, build and test different mechanisms to determine the most effective solutions, and continuously refine and improve their designs throughout the season from January to May. The process requires countless hours of dedication, with students working during lunches, study halls, after school, weekends, and even school breaks.

Students on the team noted that the team encourages a spirit of exploration and creativity, which has helped lead to the team’s success.

“The best part about robotics at CLCS is the freedom allotted to all of the students,” Charles Curtis, a senior on the team, said. “If a person has an idea, they are free to explore it.”

Three of the team’s four robots qualified for the Northern New York Championships in Syracuse on March 5, where two CLCS teams advanced to the state championship match, finishing as New York State finalists.

“VEX Robotics at CLCS is not just a competition or a class; it’s a hands-on comprehensive learning experience that aligns seamlessly with our manufacturing courses and overall STEM program,” Liddell said.

STEM curriculum is offered at Chautauqua Lake starting in elementary school and continuing throughout high school, including opportunities for students to take college-level courses accredited by Rochester Institute of Technology and Jamestown Community College. Students that participate in the VEX Robotics program also participate in these types of courses.

“During the robotics courses at CLCS, I learned problem-solving, coding, and teamwork skills that are essential for real-world engineering,” Robotics Team member Anthony Powell said.

For other team members taking these courses, some of the best parts are the opportunities they get to be creative and to do hands-on work.

“What I enjoy most about Robotics at CLCS is the opportunity for hands-on creativity and problem-solving,” Logan Ludwig said. “I like how we got to build, design, and innovate solutions — turning ideas into real creations.”

For other students on the team, such as Devin Kelsey, being a part of the team and enrolled in the robotics and STEM courses at Chautauqua Lake helps to expand his current knowledge of multiple different aspects of robotics.

“Not only did I expand my knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering, but I also learned how to cooperate with others on a technical and management level,” Kelsey said. “I’ve learned how to compromise on ideas to get the best of both worlds and how to listen to others effectively.”

Similar to some of his teammates, Zach Braun said he appreciates the creative freedom students are allowed to have in the Chautauqua Lake robotics program, and the responsibility that the program itself provides.

“My favorite part of the CLCS robotics program is that it allows for full creative freedom,” Braun said. “It’s different from other classes because there isn’t a set curriculum. Students decide what needs to be done, creating a sense of trust between student and educator that I’ve never experienced before.”

Chautauqua Lake Robotics teacher Alex Reyda emphasized the broader impact of the school’s robotics program. He said the program allows for students to do more than just take control of their own learning experience.

“Robotics empowers students to take ownership of their learning,” Reyda said. “They are not just building robots — they are building confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills that will benefit them in college and beyond.”