Get to Know LA Science Teacher Victoria Mecouris Robotics program leader shares her passion with a new generation

by Caitlin O’Brien P’26

For as long as she can remember, Lawrence Academy science teacher Victoria Mercouris has been interested in robotics. As a Girl Scout, the Bayport, N.Y., native completed her Gold Award — the highest achievement within the organization — by starting a robotics club at her high school, and she joined robotics teams and mentored younger students throughout her middle school, high school, and college years.

Inspired by her own experiences, Victoria knew she wanted to share her passion for robotics and science and how they relate to the world with as many students as possible. She earned a bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University.

“I love solving puzzles, and robotics is one giant puzzle that you can solve creatively,” says Victoria, who taught science, robotics, and computer science at the Isodore Newman School in New Orleans, La., for four years before joining LA in 2023. “There is no wrong answer, and there are 100 ways to get the right answer. It is more creative than other sciences, and it is all about the team.”

Last school year, Victoria ran Lawrence’s robotics program as a one-season afternoon activity. Nine students participated, and the team earned the fourth seed in qualifying matches and made it to the semifinals at the Bbots Bonanza tournament in Brookline, Mass. This school year, she will lead the robotics program during two semesters, as an ’A’ sport because the team meets and competes six days a week. Students can participate in either or both sessions.

Widely viewed as a “sport for the mind,” robotics provides opportunities for students to do much more than simply build and program robots. They work together while learning how to make presentations, market their team in person and on social media, network with adults and students from other organizations, and creatively solve problems.

Victoria hopes LA’s robotics program continues to grow, and that the school can ultimately be an event site for scrimmages and meets. “Robotics is for everyone. Anyone can learn, and everyone can contribute,” she says. “It’s not just about STEM. Robotics represents the intersection of art, design, and technology, and we need designers, communicators, and writers to make it all work.”