Robotics Seniors to Pursue College Degrees in STEM

Seven seniors on the Parkview BulahBots! robotics team plan to pursue college degrees in STEM fields. They are Victoria Byrd (Biology, LSU), Kevin Cruz (Mechanical Engineering, LSU), Justin Fields (Mechanical Engineering/Aerospace, LSU) Josh Fisher (Mechanical Engineering/Aerospace/Business, LSU), Emma Ramsey (Biomechanical Engineering, LSU), Katie Scannell (Medical Technology, Louisiana College), and Tori Tomaine (Psychology, LSU).

“I was going to do chemical engineering, but working with my hands made me want to switch to mechanical,” says Justin, Build Team Captain, “I’ve always wanted to study engineering, but robotics gave me the confidence to do it.”

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I joined robotics. Engineering is definitely my field,” says Cruz.

Team member, Katie Scannell, has plans to attend Louisiana College to study either pre-pharmacy or medical technology. She says, “After completing six years of robotics, I can safely say that I have found my future in STEM.

Parkview offers STEM programs for our students from Elementary to High School. One of our largest programs is robotics. Our robotics team traveled to Houston, TX for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championship in April of this year. The World Championship hosts 1,400 teams made up of 30,000 students from 62 different countries.

“After finishing in the top ten in Bayou Regional in New Orleans, LA and competing in playoff matches, the BulahBots moved on to compete in the Carver Subdivision of the FIRST World Championships in Houston, TX. A hard- fought six and four record at worlds landed them in the top half of the field of sixty-eight teams. This was the team’s second appearance at FIRST World Championships. After the excitement of the season, it won’t be their last!” – Robotics Coach, Shawn Liner

Finance Captain, Kevin Cruz says, “When we come together at competition we are very calm and professional. We really strive to do the best we can with the resources we have. We also like to help other teams. It is a goal to build respectful engineers one day. Above all glorify God.”

“Our goal is to come together and make decision as a team. We are  preparing for a future in college. Robotics gives us an idea of the organization we need in order to succeed, especially in mechanical engineering,” says team member, Emma Ramsey.