The HAUNTED experience has found a new home at the historic Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama. Hosted by the original HAUNTED team of Chris Allen and Zea Miller, along with new hosts Omar Zuaiter and Haroon Khouly, the event brought a mix of spooky history and modern excitement to this iconic site. Known for its appearances on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and other paranormal shows, Sloss Furnaces provided the perfect backdrop for an intense VEX Robotics tournament.
For those unfamiliar, VEX Robotics is a competitive program where students design, build, and program robots to complete specific challenges in a game setting. Teams compete in head-to-head matches, earning points by completing tasks with their robots. VEX is highly competitive, with teams from around the world striving to qualify for state, national, and world championships. It requires students to master STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills while working under pressure in a collaborative environment.
At the tournament, Gateway’s VEX teams stood out among the 66 competitors. In the skills competition, Team 8349U, known as Ursus, finished in 12th place, while Team 8349G, named Original Geek, earned a 24th-place finish. During the qualifying rounds, 8349G ranked 24th and was selected as part of the 8th seed alliance in the tournament, showcasing their strong performance. Team 8349U ranked 30th in qualifying and was selected as part of the 14th seed alliance.
The skills learned in VEX Robotics extend far beyond high school. Students gain hands-on experience in engineering, coding, and project management—skills that are highly valued in careers like mechanical engineering, computer programming, robotics, and automation. Many VEX alumni go on to study in STEM fields, participate in advanced robotics programs in college, or enter industries where innovation and technology are at the forefront.
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of sponsors Robert Lee and Jessica Willetts, who accompanied the team to Birmingham. Their time and effort ensured the students had the opportunity to compete and excel in such a unique and challenging environment. Thank you for making this incredible experience possible for our students!
By competing in VEX, students are not just building robots; they are building futures filled with opportunity and success. Events like this one at Sloss Furnaces are more than competitions—they are stepping stones toward lifelong careers and passions.
See all images from the excellent weekend at HAUNTED @ SLOSS VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Event
