FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WV News) — Dozens of students from across West Virginia gathered at Fairmont State University Monday for the inaugural WVSSAC Robotics State Championship, which was attended by Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, high-ranking NASA officials and others.

The event marked the first WVSSAC-sanctioned state championship of its kind since the organization officially recognized robotics last year. In all, 24 teams from 24 schools across the state competed.

Todd Ensign, program manager at the Education Resource Center at NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification & Validation Facility, is one of the main organizers for the region’s events, and he was beyond happy to be able to hold Monday’s championship.

“This has been the longest year in robotics that we have ever experienced,” Ensign said. “We have grown all of our programs. … It’s been an exciting year of growth. We had more tournaments than we ever hosted before, and we had 50 teams invited to world championships. … It’s been exciting to see robotics become such an important part of the fabric of life for so many kids. …”

“I really feel like we’ve achieved something significant here today. I was stunned and honored and excited that we had an astronaut and the deputy director of NASA and our (federal) representatives to help these students celebrate the excitement around this event. It was humbling.”

Before the action got too intense, Manchin, Capito and others got the chance to speak directly to the competing students, talking to them about the importance of STEM education and what a passion for robotics and engineering could do for them later in life.

“I can tell the way these young minds are working here,” Manchin said. “The future that you have is so bright. There are so many people and so many different ventures throughout the industry, and all of the corporations today are looking for the types of minds that you have. You can solve problems. I can’t tell you the future, but stay with it. Stay involved. Stay in West Virginia. We need you. If they know what we have here, they will come, and if they see what you’re doing here today, I guarantee they will come.”

Capito shared his sentiment.

“This is a fantastic event,” Capito said. “I’ve met so many of you from all different parts of the state, and what I want to see is … one of you on the International Space Station or maybe down in at control central where you’re controlling the vessel from your station. This is so beyond what I can imagine. … These are skills that not only you can take to space, but you can take (elsewhere).”

Two astronauts also spoke at the event. NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy, who has logged 38 days in space and remains one of only two women to command a space shuttle, spoke to the students about NASA upcoming missions to the Moon.

She explained that, through a “partnership” of sorts with robots, Moon-based missions could excel in the near future, and she hopes that some of the competitors at Monday’s event eventually help NASA make their goals a reality.

“(NASA) really cares about you, because you’re our next generation,” Melroy said. “I am really excited to be here. … This is really exciting. You guys are what we call ‘The Artemis Generation’ … We think that the future of science in space is going to be human-robotic teaming, meaning you’ll work with robots. … What you’re doing here is putting yourselves on the path to be a part of the Artemis Generation and to do science in space with all of your robotics skills.”

NASA astronaut Drew Morgan, who conducted several missions on the International Space Station, also spoke to the students, telling them to follow their passions and to never give up in the face of adversity.

“The simple formula for becoming an astronaut is the simple formula for success in any career,” Morgan said. “Your quest in robotics is your practice skill to explore these ideas. First, pursue your passion. … Second, excel that what you do. Whatever you do, do it with excellence. Astronauts strive to be the very best at everything they put their minds to. …

“The goal is excellence, but if you have a setback, learn from those lessons and come back next year even better for it. Robotics is an opportunity to excel at what you do. Third, and finally, become the ultimate team player. Learn what makes a great team and what it takes to be a great team member and team leader.”