MAUMEE, Ohio — Jonas Pathakamuri, an eighth-grader from Steubenville, was one of four students from the Ohio Virtual Academy to showcase their talents during the annual K12 National Robotics Competition in Washington, D.C.

The event took place June 3, and featured two OHVA teams who earned a spot in the finals. Both Ohio teams earned second place in the national competition.

According to Ken Sowers, OHVA robotics adviser of Mentor, the students endured months of coding challenges, took part in remote collaboration and orchestrated their problem-solving skills.

Their hard work and dedication led to their receiving an in-person competition with other top robotics teams throughout the United States.

Pathakamuri was partnered with Amyah Simmons, a seventh-grader from Cincinnati and dubbed Mech Masters.

The other team consisted of those called the MechTech Mechanics, comprised of Benjamin White, a fourth-grader from Somerset and his partner, Carter Webb, a sixth-grader from Centerville.

Both teams placed second in their respective grade band, officials commented.

“This competition gives our students more than just a chance to code,” Sowers said. “It teaches them how to think critically, collaborate virtually and apply real-world STEM skills.”

The robotics club began three years ago, and was formed by a single middle school team.

Today, the club is in its third year and has more than 130 students taking part.

Participants range in age from those in fourth through 12th grades.

Led by Sowers and Kristie Fetty of Canton, the club uses LEGO Mindstorms and the Virtual Robotics Toolkit to assist students in having fun when learning about programming and engineering.

This year’s competition was the second national event Pathakamuri has taken part in.

“Last year, our robot malfunctioned in the finals,” he said. “This year, I was more prepared. I’ve learned to troubleshoot, adapt and really depend on my team.”

Teams took part in a practice session June 2, prior to the event’s kickoff.

Those at the OHVA paid the travel expenses for competitors. K12 provided the accommodations and meals.

Organizers explained they wanted make sure the students and their families had a “memorable experience.”

“What amazes me most is the amount of life skills these students gain — critical thinking, problem-solving, perseverance,” Fetty commented. “They learn to try, analyze, adjust and try again, and those are lessons that go far beyond robotics.”

The annual K12 National Robotics Competition brings together top student coders from across the organization’s network of virtual schools, encouraging innovation, collaboration and STEM exploration.