MATTAWA - In October of 2012, with funds from a University of Washington Gear Up Rise Up Grant, the Wahluke Junior High (WJH) started an ambitious Robotics Program.

It was a year of learning, starting with two Vex Robotics teams: Epic Trolling and ORAGTOY (Our Robots Are Going To Own Yours).

"The students in each perspective team were great pioneers, eager to learn and acquire new skills," teacher Marisela Guzman said. "While building robots, they developed the ability to design, program and problem solve. In addition, they learned the importance of patience, teamwork and the joys of getting a design award."

The program has grown exponentially this year. WJH has Four Vex Robotics Teams - Wahluke Warriors I, Wahluke Warriors II, Wahluke Warriors III, and Wahluke Warriors IV. It was decided to name the Robots similarly to create uniformity and unity within the teams.

WJH teams have attended two robotics competitions, one in Sunnyside and the other at Central Washington University. During the Sunnyside competition, one of the teams made it to the semifinals and ranked 4th out of 32 Teams ranging junior high through high school.

In the competition at Central Washington University, all four teams made it out of the qualification rounds into the elimination finals, ranking 9th, 13th, 16th and 19th out of the field of 32 teams in which more than half were high school teams.

"Students have had many opportunities to see applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathnatics (STEM) through competitive robotic events," Guzman said.

In addition to robotics, WJH has also chartered a Technology Student Society (TSA) Club to provide leadership development opportunities and competitive contests for the related learning that occurs in Career and Technical Education classes at Wahluke Junior High.

Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Morken, supported through the Wahluke School District expansion of UW Gear Up funds, daily instruct 200 students in STEM-related curriculum designed to engage students in the rigorous fields vital to maintaining the country's innovative and technology-based career fields.

According to Guzman, students work through lessons designed to broaden their understanding of what engineers do, the roles they play in the economy, the solid modeling environment used to bring products to market and the automation used in production and manufacturing.

These courses are guided by nationally recognized curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way. The middle school offerings referred to as Gateway to Technology (GTT) provide two basic paths, Design and Modeling or Automation and Robotics, to get students connected with STEM career principles.

Additionally, this year, students have advanced GTT courses focusing on energy, the environment, and architecture.

The program will continue to expand for 2014 in the areas of technology, electronics and flight, Guzman said. These rigorous courses lead to linked high school courses that provide students opportunities to explore and develop the STEM fields that drive the technology related careers.

"Our students at WJH will live and navigate the technological problems of tomorrow, solving difficult issues and making the world a better place for each of us," Guzman said.