I’m excited to share news about an initiative led by one of our dedicated members, Michael Goddard of Keene ISD. While TCEA is discontinuing providing an arena contest problem set, Michael has stepped up to create a new contest that preserves the familiar TCEA arena contest format that many teams have come to know and love. Introducing the epic Galaxy Bot Battle!
Galaxy Bot Battle
Michael Goddard’s “Galaxy Bot Battle” is designed to provide continuity for teams accustomed to the TCEA arena contest structure. Here are some key points about this new competition:
- The game mat and board are identical to those used in recent TCEA arena games.
- Game pieces are all familiar, having been used in previous years’ competitions.
- The contest format closely follows that of the alliance team structure that TCEA has provided for the past three years. The contests were:
- Build: Widgets (2021-22)
- Go Go Cargo! (2022-23)
- Hi, Bye Pizza Pie (2023-24)
North Texas Robotics Contest 2025 Featuring the Galaxy Bot Battle
For teams eager to put their robots to the test, and looking for a contest? Keene High School in Keene, Texas will be hosting the North Texas Robotics Contest on April 5, 2025, featuring the Galaxy Bot Battle game. Here are the details:
- Date: April 5, 2025
- Location: Keene High School, Keene, Texas
- Cost: $50 per team
- Registration: Opens in November 2024
Resources for Participants
To help teams prepare for the Galaxy Bot Battle, Michael has provided several resources:
One note, even if you are not participating in the contest, you have to check out the summary video. It is just so AWESOME! The 90-second driver controlled period is out-of-this-galaxy. Michael must be a big time Star Wars fan, and his creativity has shown through with all the tasks a team can attempt. And with so many ways to earn points, this is a great exercise in critical thinking, too!
TCEA Community Group
For those with questions or looking to discuss the game, I encourage you to post in the TCEA Robotics Contest Group in the TCEA Community. You must be a TCEA member to access the Community. When you do arrive at this location, please post in the Robotics Contest Group using the subject “Galaxy Bot Battle, rule #” in your post title so that we can find and respond to your post easily.
I am so thrilled to see TCEA members like Michael Goddard taking initiative to keep the robotics competition spirit alive. While TCEA may no longer be organizing the arena contest, TCEA is proud to support and promote these member-led initiatives that continue to foster innovation and excitement in educational robotics. For our press release on the TCEA contests, please click here. If you are looking for past TCEA robotics game manuals, please reach out to Peggy at preimers@tcea.org and I can assist you.
And as always,
Go Bot Go Go
Peggy
