FIRST is a nationwide organization dedicated to preparing students for the future through inclusive, team-based robotics programs. This year’s competition theme, FIRST® DIVE℠, challenges teams to dive into life beneath the ocean’s surface, using STEM skills and teamwork to explore, innovate, and inspire solutions for a healthier planet and stronger communities.
This year, the Frenship High School Robotics team, the Fe (Iron) Tigers, competed in the ReefScape Robotics Competition, which aligned with the seasonal theme, FIRST® DIVE℠. In just seven weeks, the team designed, built, and programmed a robot capable of completing a complex set of underwater-inspired tasks.
During the competition, the robot had to retrieve coral from a human player zone and carefully place it onto designated reef areas to help rebuild the ecosystem. It also had to clean algae off the reef and ocean floor, then deliver it either to a processor port, which is manned by a human player, or to a barge elevated about 6½ feet above the playing field. In the final 30 seconds of the match, the robot had to lift itself off the ground by hanging from a suspended metal cage.
The Fe (Iron) Tiger is made up of about 35 students who divide into five specialized groups to showcase their individual strengths and keep the program running smoothly: the Design Team, Presentation Team, Awards Team, Programming/Coding Team, and the Build Team.
During the competition, teams are interviewed by a panel of judges who evaluate their school program, robot design, and community outreach efforts. At last week’s district competition, the Fe (Iron) Tigers earned the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award, which recognizes outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. It is considered the second-highest honor a team can receive in the FIRST organization.
Earning the Engineering Inspiration Award qualified the Frenship students to attend the State Championship in Houston. The teams will compete against ten teams across Texas and New Mexico for the same award at the state level.
To earn this prestigious award, the judges evaluate the team's efforts in recruiting students to engineering. The extent and inventiveness of these recruitment efforts are considered. The team's overall impact on their school and community in fostering an understanding of engineering is assessed.
Unlike the other awards, there are no formal submissions for the Engineering Inspiration Award, the judges gain their information from observations of the teams' actions and interactions with other teams, students, and mentors. The Engineering Inspiration Award highlights teams that are not only building robots but also building a culture of engineering appreciation.
James Holloway, the FHS Robotics coach, expressed how proud he is of the team for earning this prestigious award because it highlights their commitment to the program beyond building a robot.
"It honors all the time and effort they have spent getting others inspired about engineering in our school and community,” said Holloway. “They have volunteered to help operate FTC robotics events this year, went and encouraged our elementary and middle school students during STEM/Career Days, and held workshops to get others involved in robotics and engineering.”
Holloway’s own dedication to the program hasn’t gone unnoticed either. He will also be competing for the State Woodie Flowers Award after being nominated by his team and winning at the district level. The Woodie Flowers Award is one of the highest honors for mentors in the FIRST Robotics Competition, celebrating individuals who lead, inspire, and empower students through hands-on learning and mentorship.
As they compete at the State FIRST Robotics Competition, the Frenship Fe (Iron) Tigers continue to prove that innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to community can take you far. Good luck, Tigers!