PCSS students take second place in Invention Challenge at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California

The Robotics Club at Pioneer Charter School of Science in Everett (PCSS-I) placed second in a national science competition sponsored by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. At its 25th Invention Challenge, NASA welcomed more than 200 students and retired JPL engineers to compete by designing and deploying home-built devices. At the event, PCSS students faced off against two other out-of-state schools and two teams that included adult engineers. In the end, retired JPL engineer Alan DeVault clinched the first place spot, followed closely by the PCSS team, with Centaurus High School of Colorado coming in third.

Prior to the event, students from PCSS’s Robotics Club spent three months preparing to compete alongside other highly qualified schools and NASA engineers. The challenge for participants was to construct an automated machine that would launch within 60 seconds 50 chocolate-coated peanuts over a barrier and into a triangular Plexiglass container 16 feet away.

“We are so proud of our Robotics Club for their excellent performance at the JPL Invention Challenge,” said PCSS Executive Director Sanela Jonuz. “At PCSS, we aim to imbue our students with a passion for the sciences, and we are glad that our students had the opportunity to showcase their passion and skill at this prestigious challenge.”

While in SoCal, PCSS students were also able to explore and participate in various enrichment activities. The team visited the California Science Center and Griffith Observatory and spent time in the Hollywood Hills and at the beach.

As a school with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), PCSS creates science initiative programs to provide opportunities for internships, projects and participation in science fairs and competitions like the JPL Invention Challenge. Through this, PCSS emphasizes a passion for these subjects and prepares its students to become successful professionals and exemplary community members.