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A student robotics team from Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, has clinched the state championship and climbed to 51st in the world rankings. The team, named "One Small Step for an Axolotl," consists of mostly eighth-grade girls and one senior boy. The team was formed to fill a gap in the community for a robotics team in Lancaster.
Led by co-captains William Kim and his younger sister Elizabeth, the team includes members Lizzie Droter, Sophie Duong, Muhrukh Abdullah, and Anam Ahmed. The team was started nearly two years ago with the help of their coach, Janny Kim, who is also William and Elizabeth's mother. "As a parent, my goal is to support my kids to my best ability," Janny Kim said.
The team's name, "One Small Step for an Axolotl," symbolizes their mission to introduce FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to the community and promote STEM education. Elizabeth Kim explained, "It's a small step, but we're making a giant leap." The axolotl, known for its regenerative abilities, represents the team's resilience and determination to overcome challenges.
The team won the Pennsylvania State FIRST Tech Challenge Championship, competing against over 40 teams. They also received an Inspire Award for their community outreach efforts. The team is now preparing for the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Texas, where they will compete against 336 teams from around the world.
Beyond their achievements, the team is focused on breaking gender stereotypes and encouraging more girls to pursue STEM fields. "We really want more girls to be interested in STEM," said Muhrukh Abdullah, the prototype lead.
As they gear up for the world championship, Janny Kim reflected on the team's journey, saying, "To see their hard work pay off, but what was even more amazing is that now they have a chance to inspire more kids."