The Raytown Challenge Gifted Program, comprised of over 40 students, has won the grand prize in the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition. As a result, they were awarded $50,000 in grant money and the opportunity to collaborate with STEM professionals at Burns & McDonnell to transform their robotics-themed exhibit concept into a $1 million exhibit at Science City in Union Station.
The exhibit, named “Riveting Robots,” is a source of immense pride for the students involved. They had the opportunity to engage with the professionals who would be responsible for building their exhibit and provide input on the design and improvements. It is a rare occasion for students to witness their ideas being brought to life in such a tangible and impactful way.
Science City staff have shared that the Riveting Robotics space will be a one-of-a-kind experience in Kansas City. The exhibit consists of eight interactive pieces, including Robothespian, Gripper Display, Mission: Code, I-Sight, Race a Robot, Co-Operation, Build a Bot, and Lace ‘Em Up. These exhibits aim to engage visitors with various aspects of robotics, from programming and problem-solving to teamwork and creativity.
An impressive feature of the Riveting Robots exhibit is that more than half of the 92,000 square foot space at Science City has been created through the Battle of the Brains competition. This longstanding competition, which began in 2011, has seen participation from over 6,400 students in its latest cycle in 2021.
The Raytown Challenge Gifted Program’s achievement in winning the Battle of the Brains competition and collaborating with professionals to bring their robotics exhibit to life is a testament to the power of nurturing young talent in STEM fields. It serves as an inspiration for aspiring innovators and showcases the impact that young people can have when given the opportunity to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Sources:
– KCTV News – “Kansas City’s Science City shows off new attraction”
– Burns & McDonnell