NW Valley Times

Junior high school students Miles Pierce, Isaac Ruddell and Jarren Ojanen of Flagstaff Christian School welcomed their robot to the finish line at the International Christian STEM Competition. Ruddell expressed his relief, stating, "I'm used to them NOT working, so just seeing us get through the cave, it was nice."

The competition, hosted by Grand Canyon University for the third time, saw a significant increase in participation, with GCU's Assistant Vice President of K12 Outreach and Education Program Development Dr. Carol Lippert noting that the event has tripled in size since its debut.

Dr. Cori Araza, GCU senior project director of K12 STEM Outreach, emphasized the uniqueness of the competition, stating, "This is the only multidisciplinary international STEM competition focused on Christian schools." This year, 25 Christian schools and 256 students from across the country gathered to compete in various challenges designed to incorporate the Christian worldview element.

One of the challenges at the competition was the Robot Search and Rescue event, where students had to build and program robots to aid rescuers in clearing debris and saving lives after a disaster. The intense competition was evident as students faced various obstacles, with one student from Flagstaff Christian School recalling the stressful moments when their robot faced technical issues.

Despite the challenges, the spirit of teamwork and perseverance prevailed. Danny Kim, founder of Quest 4 Excellence, a nonprofit organization that provided the platform for the robotics competitions, highlighted the impact of such events on students' lives. Kim shared, "When they realize they can actually build something, a robot from scratch, their thought is, 'What else can I do that people told me I can't do?'"

The competition not only showcased students' technical skills but also encouraged them to think critically and creatively. GCU alum Trevor Baines, who volunteered at the event, expressed his joy in witnessing the growth of the competition, stating, "I never had anything like this when I was growing up in high school so, again, helping out and giving to the students now, I love that stuff."

The event not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents but also emphasized the importance of incorporating Christian values into problem-solving through STEM. GCU's commitment to nurturing young minds in STEM fields was evident throughout the competition, as students from different Christian schools came together to demonstrate their skills and passion for science, technology, engineering, and math.