Brandon Petcaugh, chair of the computer science and engineering department at Holy Ghost Prep (HGP) in Bensalem, isn’t teaching students robotics for some sci-fi purpose of taking over the world at large. He is, however, helping them build skills to successfully take over the world of tech, should their future career paths unfold in that direction.

Petcaugh and his team, the Firebirds, have qualified for the VEX World Championship for the third time in five years.

VEX, a Texas company dedicated to inspiring an appreciation of engineering in students, oversees more than 750 robotics competitions annually. These events encompass 11,500 teams of 6–12 Grade students across 40 countries.

The world championship match comprises multiple rounds of a game called Tipping Point. On a 23-foot square board, competitors earn points by using a robot of their creation to collect rings and manipulating other elements on the field.

Senior students Jeeth Vijay, Luke Vogt, Jomal Mathew, and Aaron Haq will represent the school in Dallas from May 5–7. It is the largest robotics competition in the world.

Another HGP robotics team — Liam Power, Isaac Newell, Jake Schutsky, and Jacob Hackman — also qualified for a VEX national tournament.

This team of ninth graders, ranked sixth in the state, represent the first freshman from the school to earn the distinction. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions have scaled back the number of onsite competitors.

But the staff celebrates their achievement nonetheless. “We are so proud of our VEX robotics program,” said Holy Ghost Prep principal Kevin Burke.

“While the accolades are nice, what I love most about our robotics program are the skills that these young men are developing,” Burke continued. “They are honing their technical expertise, learning to work successfully in teams, and how to compete hard while maintaining a true sense of sportsmanship.

“These skills will serve them well for the rest of their lives,” he concluded.