Lewes Elementary Robotics Students Showcase Skills in VEX IQ “Mix & Match” Challenge

Fourth and fifth grade students at Lewes Elementary School put their engineering and teamwork skills to the test during the VEX IQ “Mix & Match” Challenge, held on April 14 as the culminating event of the school’s robotics club season.

After weeks of designing, building, coding, and testing their robots, students brought their creations to life in an exciting Skills Match competition. Three teams, each made up of five students, competed to score points by skillfully controlling their robots and completing a series of game tasks that required both precision and strategy.

The event highlighted not only students’ growing knowledge of robotics and coding, but also their creativity, perseverance, and ability to collaborate under pressure.

“This challenge is always a favorite because it gives students the chance to apply everything they’ve learned in a real, competitive setting,” said robotics advisor and teacher Ryan Blakeman. “Seeing them problem-solve in the moment, support one another, and celebrate each success really shows how much they’ve grown, not just in engineering skills, but as teammates.”

The competition served as an exciting finale to a season of hard work and innovation, offering students a chance to celebrate their progress and accomplishments.

“We are incredibly proud of our robotics students and the dedication they’ve shown throughout the year,” said principal Dr. Kimberly Corbidge. “Events like this highlight the importance of hands-on learning and give students meaningful opportunities to build confidence, think critically, and work collaboratively. We are also grateful for the leadership and guidance Mr. Blakeman has provided the students throughout this process.”

Participating students included: Toprak Bayram, Chole Bryson, Quinn Callahan, George Dickinson, Jax Donaway, Giada Finney, Kiren Harrison, Grey Johnston, Sophia Mazzetti, Madison Miller, Kyle Pyle, Colin Strumpf, Roger Roy, Delaney Tartal, and Evelyn Tartal.

The VEX IQ “Mix & Match” Challenge marked a successful conclusion to the robotics club season and highlights Lewes Elementary’s commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and student engagement through unique opportunities.