On Tuesday, April 14, RCS hosted its second Science Olympiad and Robotics Award Night, an evening dedicated to celebrating the achievements of our talented students in STEM. From LEGO robotics to advanced engineering challenges, the event honored teams and individual accomplishments from a year full of learning, innovation, and collaboration.
To start the evening, RCS Superintendent of Schools Craig P. Chandler addressed the auditorium. “You learned how to think, not just what to think. How to look at a challenge from multiple angles, test your assumptions, adjust your approach, and keep going. That kind of thinking does not belong to any one career or discipline. It belongs to every single thing you will ever take on. Tonight, we celebrate what you have already accomplished. But understand that what you have built inside yourself this year is the real award.”
After the opening remarks, the Ravena Innovation Station celebrated the recognition of our youngest engineers who participated in the FIRST® LEGO League Challenge.
Innovation in Action: Robotics at RCS
FIRST® LEGO League Challenge introduces elementary and middle school students to foundational STEM concepts through fun and engaging team competitions. This year, RCS was proudly represented by The Flammable Fedoras, Sensor Fusion, Feisty Four, the Innovation Squirrel Team, and the Homeschool Squad. At the Championship event in early February, Team Sensor Fusion earned second place out of 24 teams, and The Flammable Fedoras walked away with the Peer Award.
For students in grades 7–12, the FIRST® Tech Challenge offers a more advanced robotics experience, where teams design, build, and program robots to compete head-to-head with other teams. This year, RCS introduced a new rookie team, the Coeymans Camelolons. The team performed very well in its first season and advanced to the Championships in Utica. RCS’s established team, the Ravena Rattlesnakes, also navigated a challenging season, completing a full redesign of their robot before they competed at regionals. The Rattlesnakes earned several match wins and competition awards.
Learning in Action: Science Olympiad at RCS
The evening also spotlighted our Science Olympiad teams at both the Middle School and High School levels. Science Olympiad competitions test knowledge and skills across a wide range of disciplines, including genetics, chemistry, physics, geology, and engineering. With a strong emphasis on hands-on, team-based challenges, the program fosters collaboration and creative thinking, skills that are essential in today’s scientific landscape.
Advisor Jennifer Fisk-Jaskolka announced the students who participated in the Middle School Science Olympiad, commending their dedication and achievements. The team capped off a terrific season with an impressive third-place finish at the regional competition hosted at RCS Middle School in March, with several students earning individual medals in their events. These young scholars not only excel in science competitions but also balance accelerated classes, extracurricular activities, and Honor Roll status.
High School Science Olympiad co-advisors Cassie Owens and Erin Roberts presented awards to students in grades 9–12. At Regionals, the high school team competed against 20 schools, earning first place in the Small School Division and placing 10th overall. The team’s seniors were also recognized and celebrated for their dedication, leadership, and the lasting impact they made on the program.
Throughout the evening, it was clear that the future of STEM at RCS is bright. The ceremony concluded with a celebratory slideshow featuring all of this year’s participating students. View the slideshow here.
Students in grades 7–12, including homeschoolers and students from nearby districts without a robotics program, are eligible to join the FIRST® Tech Challenge. Those interested should reach out to the Innovation Station. This spring and summer, interested students will participate in outreach events and skill-building sessions to prepare for the upcoming season, including learning coding, CAD, and robotics fundamentals.