Cowley College to Host Sumner County Robotics Competition

Cowley College is excited to host the annual Sumner County Robotics Competition April 23-24, 2025, at the Cowley College Sumner Campus. This dynamic event will bring together students from local middle schools, homeschool groups, and elementary schools to participate in engaging robotics challenges designed to inspire innovation and teamwork.

The competition features two divisions:

• Basic Competition (April 23) – A non-coding event where students participate in hands-on activities like robot navigation, bowling challenges, mini golf, and more. Teams must be organized and brought by a middle school teacher. This event is designed to allow students from all academic backgrounds—including art and humanities—to experience robotics in an exciting and accessible way. Teachers who are interested in forming a team for this year or next year are encouraged to contact David Hays, Mathematics and Computer Science Professor, for details on participation. Any teacher can form a team and bring their students, and no coding skills are required for the Basic Competition day.
• Advanced Competition (April 24) – A more technical competition emphasizing programming and engineering skills. Events include drone racing, maze traversal, and AI-based challenges, giving students an opportunity to showcase their coding expertise.
  Students will have the chance to interact with a variety of robots, including VEX Clawbots, Sphero Minis, and programmable drones. Events will range from visually impaired driver challenges to Battlebot-style competitions and engineering-focused projects such as bridge building and catapult design.

“We designed this competition to be inclusive and engaging for students of all skill levels,” said event organizer David Hays. “Technology is rapidly evolving, and our goal is to introduce students to robotics in a way that is both educational and fun. Whether they’re programming drones or building magnetic marble runs, they’re developing critical skills for the future.”

Cowley College is also exploring a new robotics competition this summer specifically for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Discussions are underway regarding a potential partnership to expand opportunities for these individuals. KanOkla and Sumner County commissioners have expressed strong support for this initiative, furthering the college’s commitment to accessible STEM education.

KanOkla and Sumner County Commissioners have been instrumental in supporting this event, ensuring that students from across the region have access to top-tier STEM experiences. Their contributions help make this competition a standout opportunity for young innovators.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu