Keystone Cyber Storm: Coding, Competing, and “Crushing It” in Robotics!

Keystone Cyber Storm: Coding, Competing, and “Crushing It” in Robotics!

When it comes to robots, coding, and collaboration, The Keystone School’s robotics team, Keystone Cyber Storm, is proving that virtual students can be fierce competitors in STEM. Led by students Jason and Sarai, along with teammate Luke (who contributed during the qualifiers), the team recently qualified for the national finals of the K12 Stride Robotics Competition.

But it wasn’t just technical skill that got them there—it was perseverance, creativity, and teamwork.

Now in their third year of competition, Jason and Sarai renamed the team “Cyber Storm” after noticing other teams had adopted exciting monikers. “We used to think we had to just use the school’s name, but when we saw all the cool names, we wanted one too,” Jason explained. The new name represents their evolution as a team and their drive to stand out.

This year’s finals are extra special. Not only will the competition be hosted in-person at Stride’s headquarters in Reston, Virginia, but it also lands on Sarai’s birthday—a fact that adds even more excitement to an already thrilling opportunity. “I’m happy that I’ll get to spend time with everyone, which I only see once a year, and I’ll be able to enjoy my birthday coding,” Sarai said.

The Road to Finals

Preparing for the finals has involved both virtual practice and lots of trial and error. The team used simulation boards to test and refine their code, even though the virtual platform presented significant challenges. “Sometimes I contemplate if the friction and forces coded into the program are random,” joked Sarai, who pointed out that the physical robot—built from LEGO with color sensors, a claw arm, and motorized wheels—tends to perform more reliably in person.

The real breakthroughs have come through collaboration. The students frequently share their code with one another, improve each other’s work, and strategize around past performance. “Recently, Sarai and I sent each other our codes and improved them in our own ways,” said Jason. “Those kinds of things are very nice.”

Guided by Passion and Support

Keystone’s flexible learning model has been key to the team’s success. With asynchronous schedules, students can shift academic responsibilities to make time for robotics meetings and coding sessions. “No need for strict schedules,” said Jason. “I was able to finish school early this year, which gave me time to fully focus on preparation.”

The team credits their advisor, Mr. Karlik, for igniting their interest in robotics and helping them launch the team. “He’s always been there—coordinating meetings, teaching us code in the beginning, and now observing us to see what we could do better,” said Sarai. “We’re even at the point where we might be able to teach him a few things!”

Principal Ms. Rhone also attended the physical competition in support, adding to the encouragement the team feels from the school community.

Growing Through the Journey

While Jason admits that coding can sometimes be stressful, he’s also found that robotics has helped him build confidence and social skills. Sarai agrees, adding that communication has been crucial. “We use email, Discord, and regular check-ins to stay coordinated. It’s helped us develop as a team and as individuals.”

Each member brings different strengths: Jason often handles the coding, Sarai observes and troubleshoots the robot’s performance, and Luke manages the hardware during competitions. Together, they’ve created a supportive and resilient team dynamic.

Aiming High and Having Fun

As the finals approach, the team’s goals are clear: have fun, aim for first place, and inspire others. “One of my goals is just to enjoy it,” said Sarai. “And if we can win? Even better.”

Jason hopes their story will encourage more Keystone students to join. “Extracurriculars like this take dedication, but they’re rewarding. You get the knowledge, the sense of accomplishment, and it’s just fun.”

Sarai adds, “We’d love to see more students join. If anyone’s interested, reach out! You only need two or three people to start.”

No matter the outcome, Keystone Cyber Storm is already a winning team—showcasing how virtual learners can come together, innovate, and thrive in STEM. Their story is one of curiosity, resilience, and the kind of camaraderie that turns code into something extraordinary.