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How Teamwork Helped CAVA’s Robotics Team Win First Place

Stories & Spotlights
cava robotics blog

At California Virtual Academies (CAVA), education goes beyond textbooks—it’s about building real-world skills like communication, creativity, and problem-solving. One standout example of this? The recent success of The Cogsmiths, CAVA’s winning middle school robotics team, who brought home first place in this year’s K12 Robotics Competition for grades 7–9.

But what made their victory truly remarkable wasn’t just their coding or engineering—it was their ability to collaborate and support one another every step of the way.

Meet CAVA’s Winning Robotics Team: The Cogsmiths

Katherine, Noah, and Matthew—all 9th grade students at CAVA—make up The Cogsmiths, a tight-knit team of innovative thinkers with a passion for programming, designing, and competing. Working together across different cities in California, they embraced every challenge as a team, embodying what STEM and engineering education are all about.

They chose their name to reflect their shared love of invention and problem-solving. As Noah explains:

“We all thought, ‘What if we take something that’s related to a robot and combine it with something that shows our expertise?’ So, we became smiths of cogs—like gears and robots. We’re The Cogsmiths!”

Each member brought a unique skill set to the table—programming, design, testing, and strategy. Their shared commitment helped the team’s “cogs” turn smoothly throughout the competition.

The Power of Collaboration

What set The Cogsmiths apart in the robotics competition wasn’t just their technical talent. It was how they worked as a unit.

They divided responsibilities by strengths, held regular virtual meetings, and supported each other through every challenge. When technical issues arose, they didn’t get discouraged—they brainstormed together, iterated, and kept moving forward.

Through three virtual qualifying rounds and a national in-person finale, their teamwork stood out. They not only programmed a winning robot—they built a lasting bond that strengthened their team.

How CAVA Fuels Teamwork and Innovation

At CAVA, we’re dedicated to creating learning experiences that inspire. Programs like the K12 Robotics League provide students with real opportunities to explore STEM, build connections, and learn the value of teamwork—even in a virtual environment.

Through virtual clubs, project-based learning, and hands-on competitions, students like The Cogsmiths get to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges—and have fun doing it.

What’s next for The Cogsmiths?

With their championship win behind them, The Cogsmiths are already looking ahead. Whether it’s another season in the K12 Robotics League, stepping onto the virtual stage at the K12 Talent Showdown, or showcasing a new invention at the K12 Innovation Challenge, this team is ready for what’s next.

Their story is a powerful reminder: when students collaborate, support one another, and embrace the challenge, they can achieve incredible things. And, of course, have plenty of fun along the way!

Congratulations to The Cogsmiths for their well-earned victory—and for showing us that with teamwork, creativity, and passion, anything is possible in the world of robotics.

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