Prairie Rose Students Earn International Title at MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

Nine Prairie Rose Public Schools students have earned international recognition after capturing first place at one of the world's most prestigious high school STEM programs.

Competing in the internationally recognized RACECAR (Rapid Autonomous Complex Environment Competing Ackermann steering Robot) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), the Prairie Rose team recorded the fastest overall time in the program's final competition and was named the International Team Winner, outperforming teams from around the world.

The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is an internationally recognized STEM program that provides high achieving high school students with advanced learning opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, and programming.

For the Prairie Rose team, success began long before arriving on the MIT campus. Throughout the second semester of the school year, the nine students completed rigorous university level coursework to prepare for the program. Once in Cambridge, Massachusetts, they spent each day immersed in intensive learning, combining technical instruction, collaborative engineering challenges, and hands on programming before completing several hours of evening assignments. Students also attended presentations from leading scientists, engineers, and technology innovators.

The experience concluded with Race Day, where teams tested their custom programmed autonomous vehicles in a series of timed challenges. Prairie Rose's nine student team earned the fastest overall performance, securing first place in the time trials and the title of International Team Winner.

"The dedication shown by our students and teachers throughout this entire experience has been nothing short of inspiring," said Darren MacMillan, Director of Strategic Programming and Innovation. "Spending a semester preparing for and then excelling in a world class environment like MIT speaks to their work ethic, brilliance, and passion for technology."

"This remarkable achievement demonstrates what is possible when students are challenged to think beyond the classroom and are supported by passionate educators who believe in their potential," said Dr. Reagan Weeks, Superintendent of Prairie Rose Public Schools. "Watching our students compete and succeed on an international stage at one of the world's leading institutions is a proud moment for our entire division and reflects our commitment to creating learning opportunities that prepare students for the future."

Prairie Rose Public Schools congratulates the nine students from Akram Jomaa School and their two teacher leaders whose dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of preparation culminated in this outstanding achievement on the international stage.

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