A team of fifteen eager young engineers from Natchitoches Junior High competed at the 2023 NSU Robotics Competition and Smart Structures Show held Wednesday, November 20 on the NSU campus. The team was under the direction of teacher Jermaine Thomas. Mr. Thomas is in his 7th year at NJH and his 16th year as a teacher.

The competition, in its 9th year of promoting fun and learning, is sponsored by NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology. The event is designed for junior high aged students and consists of a series of challenges for the teams’ robots in speed, accuracy, strength, and maze running. Each team’s robot is built and programmed by the young people on the team and may not be touched after starting an event. The competition featured teams from Caddo, Desoto, and Natchitoches parishes. NJH was the sole competitor from Natchitoches parish. Representatives from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts were on hand to assist the judges and spread the word about the wonderful opportunities afforded by the school.

The annual NSU Robotics Competition and Smart Structures Show is more than a competition. It is also a superb opportunity to develop student skills in teamwork, problem solving and much more. NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology has done a superb job over the years in organizing and hosting this event. They clearly love their area of study, and their enthusiasm is obvious – and contagious. The Natchitoches Parish Journal would also like to commend Mr. Thomas and the young men and women of the NJH Robotics Team, Keep working and keep learning!