BEDFORD EXPRESS ROBOTICS BOOSTERS

Coach May & Coach Poskarbiewicz Retire

Coach May and Coach Poskarbiewicz announced in December that they will be retiring at the end of the school year. Information about next year is not currently available. Please check with the school system about future programs.

Coach May started the Bedford Robotics Program in the spring of 2000. She started coaching the Dana Unicorns, sponsored by the Dana Corporation. In the debut year, the team was chosen to perform in an Expo at the World Championship This was held at Disney World. The following year, the team won the Director's Award which advanced them to compete in the first ever FIRST Lego League World Championship Competition. At the competition, the team had a perfect run during a match, scoring them all the possible points. This trip helped form the FRC 1023 High School team, as students were motivated to keep going in their FIRST adventure. Coach Poskarbiewicz joined as an FLL mentor. This duo has worked together since.

They converted their FLL team to a FIRST Vex Team in 2007 and created one of the first middle school teams at this level. Their team converted to FIRST Tech Challenge the following season. Their team won the INSPIRE Award and advanced to the World Championship, even though they were primarily competing against high school aged students.

In 2009, when Coach Bacon retired as the high school coach, Coach May and Coach Poskarbiewicz took over. They have earned 20 blue banners, many awards, and earned a strong reputation for the team. Highlights included winning the 2015 Michigan State Championship after securing the number 1 seed spot, winning their 2015 Division at the World Championships, winning the 2017 Engineering Inspiration Award at the World Championships, and being recognized for their Gracious Professionalism.

New BPS Leadership Appointed

To replace Coach May, the district has hired Michelle Nieman (michelle.nieman@mybedford.us) and Denny Costlow (Dennis.costlow@mybedford.us). To get information about future participation, please email Michelle for K-8 and Denny for 9-12.

BHS Robotics: Dennis Costlow - Visit their new webpage here: https://bedfordexpress.wixsite.com/1023
K-8 Robotics: Michelle Nieman

Fall of 2018 News

November 17: All of our FIRST Lego League teams competed at the Mission Possible Tournament at Monroe High School. The Bid Dippers were awarded the Judges Award for their great teamwork. Congratulations to all of our teams!

2018 Season Teasers

Classical Engineers Advance to World Championships

Photo cutesy of GSK Creations

Bedford Junior High's FTC program continues to excel. The Classical Engineers FTC Team 8579 earned a bid to the Detroit World Championship at the Super Regional they attended in Iowa on March 15-17. The team finished 6th ranked in their division, earning them a trip to the World Championship! Wishing them the best of luck as they prepare for their event. If you would like to sponsor their trip to World Championship, contact FTC Coordinator, Debbie May at debbie.may@mybedford.us, or mail a check made to BJHS Robotics to Debbie May, Bedford Junior High school, 8405 Jackman Rd., Temperance, MI 48182. The team would appreciate any and all support. They will be joining the high school team in Detroit and both teams would love to see you there on April 25-28 at Cobo Hall!

Check out those Classical Engineers!

Bedford Express Advances to States!

Members of the Bedford Express Varsity advanced their robot to states, ending disctrict play as the 27th ranked team out of 508 teams. The JV squad was awarded the Rookie All-Star award advancing them to compete for this award, without their robot, at the state championship.

The Michigan State Championships will host the top 160 teams from the 508 Michigan teams. Top teams from this event will advance to the World Championship.