After the Palisades Fire destroyed their school and robotics lab, 4th and 5th graders from Marquez Charter Elementary School rebuilt their robots—and their hope—to compete on the world stage.

Los Angeles

After the Palisades Fire destroyed their school and robotics lab, fourth and fifth graders from Marquez Charter Elementary School have managed to overcome adversity by rebuilding their robots to compete once more. The fire led to the evacuation of hundreds of students as flames approached the school and ultimately destroyed more than 6,000 structures. Despite the loss, including homes and community resources, the students and staff relocated to temporary classrooms and focused on rebuilding their robots for upcoming competitions.

In the face of overwhelming challenges, these young competitors from Marquez showed remarkable resilience and determination. With assistance from coaches and community donations, the students dedicated themselves to reconstructing their robots, which they initially designed in the fall. The team improved their designs, constructing robots capable of launching a ball into a set of goals with great accuracy. Their perseverance paid off as two teams from Marquez participate in competitions, and the fourth grade team qualifies for the world championships in Dallas, Texas.

The experience has been about more than just competition and awards for these students. Parents and coaches emphasize the significance of having fun and the spirit of not giving up despite the losses suffered. The students' dedication and positive outlook have filled those around them with pride and shown the true spirit of perseverance amid adversity.



Robotics team overcomes wildfire destruction

I was riding away and I see like the smoke like filling the sky and I'm like oh my god my school oh my god I had a robotics day the robot. Charlotte Lu who goes by Charlie is one of hundreds of students who evacuated Marquez Charter Elementary School on January 7th as flames hurtled toward their school. I thought that we might actually be able to save the school but then I got the word the next morning. They're part of a group of fourth and fifth graders who had built incredible robots during the fall to compete in regional and national competitions only to have the Palisades fire destroy them as it tore through more than 6,000 structures. We never we never expected everything to burn down otherwise I would have saved it. Many teachers and parents thought they were leaving temporarily not thinking there would be nothing left for their children to return to. Most of them lost their homes their schools their you know parks their libraries. With no campus left the staff and student body moved to existing empty classrooms at another elementary school and the students made their own choice to rebuild their robots even as some were dealing with losing their homes. We didn't have a place to live so you know we didn't even know where school was necessarily going to be so yeah it seems a little overwhelming and daunting because it's a lot of it's a big commitment. Three days a week hours at a time and with the help of donations support from the coaches. I said if you want to continue we will find a way. And looking over notes from their first robots. We made some improvements that definitely improved the bot. A bot designed to launch a ball directly into a set of goals. How accurate is that when you launch? Well our bot is actually called Hole in One so pretty frequently we usually get it in every time. So good in fact that the two teams from Marquez took their quickly finished new robots to an Iowa competition. The fourth grade team also beat out hundreds of other teams to qualify for the world championships in Dallas Texas. There's probably going to be some really really good teams that have like crazy scores. But teammate Winston Tyer remembers hearing words of advice at the last meetup as they prepare for their biggest match. It isn't about what the awards you get it isn't about it isn't about who you get paired up with it's about having fun. And his dad could not be prouder of the journey they've taken. It's been like months but they do impress me. Just look at their spirit and the fact that they just were like this happened but we're not defeated. Robotics in general it's all about you know not giving up and I think that that's what they're doing in their lives right now.

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