Three South Whittier School District STEAM teams have advanced in the Wonder League Robotics Competition, advancing ahead of hundreds of entries worldwide.
The Wonder League Robotics Competition, or WLRC, is an international STEAM competition hosted by Wonder Workshop. Teams complete a series of missions using Dash robots, all while coding, designing, and creatively problem-solving.
Three of South Whittier School District’s teams, Team Los Altos, Team Innovators, and Team Friendship, have advanced to a special category of the competition. Out of the hundreds of WLRC entries worldwide, these SWSD teams were selected as finalists and entered in the Invitational Round of the Pioneer Cup Division, determined by age range, and were chosen as part of a small group (maximum of 25 teams) to compete for the People’s Choice Award.
To qualify for the Invitational Round, teams had to complete four missions and submit the required evidence. To be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, teams had to submit a 30-second video explaining their final mission solution and earn top scores for clarity and creativity. The People’s Choice Award winner is determined through an online public vote, which is open now through May 2nd.
Students in these teams competing in the WLRC were hand-selected from the district’s daily STEAM classes. They work during school hours or in small pull-out sessions. A typical work period involves brainstorming creative solutions, testing builds, coding the Dash robot’s movement and responses, and documenting the process through journals and videos. Students primarily use Dash robots and the Blockly coding platform. Students also use recycled and craft materials—like cardboard, pipe cleaners, tape, and more—to build models like time machines, greenhouses, and moon-based infrastructure as part of their final mission designs.
South Whittier School District’s STEAM class mission is to empower students to explore robotics, coding, and design thinking in a hands-on, meaningful way. They want students to develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills while solving real-world inspired challenges.
South Whittier School District has been intentional about making the latest technologies and advancements available to students. With this in mind, STEAM classes have been incorporated throughout the district, as well as an after-school robotics program.
South Whittier’s STEAM teacher and robotics club leader, Maggie Solorio, shared about how robotics and STEAM have contributed to student growth and success.
“Students grow in every way—academic, social, and emotional. They learn to collaborate, to persist through trial and error, and to take pride in their work. One favorite moment of mine was when a team finished building and started dancing and chanting, “Boom, there it is!” in pure joy. It was a beautiful, spontaneous celebration of their teamwork and success. Students start seeing themselves as engineers, coders, and designers. Many express new interest in STEM careers. They also become more willing to lead, to take risks, and to help others—skills that go far beyond the classroom.”