On Nov. 17, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers from Kentucky are invited to the Robot Gladiator League demo arena battle in Eminence, showcasing the countless hours of work dedicated by Eminence students using the greatest extent of their engineering and technology skills.
The Eminence High School team is one of the few throughout the state who participate in the program, as Eminence High School offers many STEM-based programs for students.
But this program stands unique in its own category.
The Robot Gladiator League, started by the Newton’s Attic in Lexington, is an intense, action-packed competition. Twelve high school students work as a team in this selective STEM program to build battling robot systems in preparation for arena battle. Eminence High School provides students with technological resources, such as a 3D printer, laser cutter and a fully equipped woodshop, encouraging students to pursue their STEM education.
Students in the Robot Gladiator League use a wide variety of tools, develop battling strategies and use creative engineering skills to fabricate the unique battle systems. The Eminence Robot Gladiator League is led by coach Sherry Curtsinger, and currently comprised of the following students: Jackson Curtsinger, Gus Curtsinger, DaYoung Choi, DaYou Choi, Sunghyun Choi, Anthony Wayman, Beau White, Truman Gilbert, Harrison Gilbert, Sydney Dennis, Adelaide Dennis and Nathaniel Oaks.
The object of the battle includes knocking down bowling pins for points and putting opposing battle bots out of working order within the match time. Each robot team sends three robots to battle, starting at opposite ends of the arena. Robot designs are almost completely open to creative freedom of the students — aside from size and safety regulations. The arena’s design takes inspiration from the popular early 2000’s tv shows Battle Bots and Robot Wars. Flashing lights, energetic music and an exciting announcer all combine to add not only to the competition itself but transform the battle into an invigorating performance.
The first time Eminence High School competed in the Robot Gladiator League was in their 2022 tournament in Lexington last December. Prepared for battle with two robots — one equipped with a pneumatic system-powered hammer and the other armed with an aluminum wedge — the Eminence team made it to the semifinal round of the tournament against other Kentucky high schools.
Opportunity opened again to the Eminence team the following summer. In partnership with the Morehead STEM X Excellence program, the Robot Gladiator League hosted a 2-week engineering training camp this past July, hoping to expand the outreach of their program to interested high school students. Eminence High School sent four students to represent the team — DaYoung Choi, DaYou Choi, Jackson Curtsinger and Nathaniel Oaks. Over the duration of the camp, students worked together to prepare for a final battle exhibition for an audience of STEM educators, fellow high school students, representatives from Toyota and BlueOval SK and TV media from Lexington and Morehead.
The Robot Gladiator League is a high-end challenging program for students and coaches that serves to open unique pathways for students in Eminence.