(Submitted photo) Team 2×4 won the second place Innovation Project trophy at the Wisconsin State Championship. The team is, from left: Timmy Walton, Bethany Walton, Mason Williams, Evan Schneider, and Halee Williams.

Team 2×4 advances to post-season competition for third year in a row

For the third year in a row Team 2×4, a middle school robotics team made up of local students, has returned from the Wisconsin State Championship with a bid to a post-season tournament, the American Robotics Open

This year’s team is made up of Evan Schneider, Bethany Walton, Timothy Walton, Halee Williams, and Mason Williams. Three of the members are rookies and they were so excited to make it to through every level of competition in Wisconsin. Less than 10% of teams were represented at the State Championship and only the top 25 got to advance to post season opportunities. Team 2×4 is the only team in the state to be invited to travel three years in a row.

The team was honored to win the second place Innovation Project trophy at state for “The Custom Carver,” an at-home custom moldable handle that allows beginner carvers to learn to carve with much less chance of injury.  Team 2×4 developed this handle for beginner carvers as a way to spread the hobby of carving with more kids. Their idea was published in Chip Chats, the National Woodcarving Association’s magazine.

The students also designed, built, and coded a LEGO robot to autonomously solve a board of missions.  Their robot finished in 10th place and they finished sixth place overall.

They will now be traveling to the American Robotics Open in the Meadowlands in New Jersey, from May 17-19 to compete against 54 other top teams. 

Overall this season, Team 2×4 did a great job representing the stateline area and had an amazing time learning from other teams at the Wisconsin State Championship. They want to offer a big thanks to all the community members and businesses who supported their team this season. They are very excited to have the opportunity to move forward and represent Wisconsin at the American Robotics Open come May.

Team 2×4 is currently working to raise the funds needed for their registration fees, lodging, team shirts, and other expenses for the upcoming tournament. They need to raise $7,000 and are looking for corporate and personal sponsorships.  Anyone donating $100 or more will be featured on their team banner, with other benefit levels also available. The team is happy to do presentations for community groups as they work towards this goal.  To sponsor them, checks can be made out and sent to: Stateline Homeschool Robotics, PO Box 126, Clinton, WI 53525.  Direct donations can be made through PayPal @team2x4, or GoFundMe at tinyurl.com/mr9j6fh3. Contact them at fllteam2x4@gmail.com or 608-676-7329 with any questions.