Last weekend, Webster’s very own Sparx Robotics team participated in a regional event at RIT, competing against 53 other teams who traveled from all over New York State, from Buffalo to the Bronx, but also Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. While they didn’t bring home any awards, they finished strong and made Webster proud.
The following report and photos from the weekend were submitted by Sparx parent mentor Tricia Isham:
The Sparx Robotics Team 1126, made up of talented students from Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas High Schools, recently took part in the exciting Finger Lakes Regional FIRST Robotics competition. Held from March 13 to 15, 2025, at Rochester Institute of Technology, this event challenged teams to dive into the ocean’s ecosystem with this year’s theme, “Reefscape.”
Months of Hard Work and Teamwork
Since fall, these dedicated teens have been meeting twice a week in the evenings, increasing to a minimum of three times a week after the new year, putting in an impressive average of 16 plus hours weekly (and often many more). Their dedication paid off with the design and creation of their robot, lovingly named Luisa in memory of a favorite loving and encouraging mentor.
The Reefscape Challenge
The competition, announced on January 4, 2025, gave Team 1126 just nine weeks to build and program their robot. Luisa was designed to perform specific tasks both autonomously and under human control, simulating the harvesting of algae and planting of coral in an oceanic environment.
Team Spirit and Future Competitions
Sparx met every match with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, embodying the spirit of FIRST Robotics. Their journey keeps going – the team is set to compete in the New York Tech Valley Regional in Albany from March 26 to 29, 2025. You’ll be able to watch that competition live here.
More Than Just Robotics
Sparx Robotics Team 1126 has shown remarkable teamwork and perseverance. Their performance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young engineers.
FIRST Robotics isn’t just about building robots; it’s about fostering innovation, teamwork, and leadership skills. It’s an incredible way for students to learn STEM concepts while developing confidence and creativity.
Get Involved
Our current sponsors are: One Webster School District, Xerox, Bosch, Boulter, MKS, Wegman’s, Crossfield, Lavoro Group, Vital Signs, OptiPro and the Watson and Ficci Families.
Want to support these future innovators, too? Consider mentoring the team or making a donation. To contact the lead mentors for mentoring opportunities and to donate, visit the team’s website.
Learn more about FIRST Robotics and follow the exciting world of competitive robotics, and this year’s REEFSCAPE theme here.
The Sparx Robotics Team 1126 is a shining example of what our local youth can achieve with passion and teamwork. Their journey from design to competition is a testament to the power of STEM education and the importance of programs like FIRST Robotics in shaping our future.
Tricia also reported that while the team didn’t do as well as they had hoped, their final ranking was nothing to sneeze at.
“Team 1126 was ranked 24 out of 54 teams at the competition with a record of 5-3-1,” she wrote, “and goes into the Tech Valley competition at an overall rank of 906 out of over 1900 teams participating in total this competition year.” Not too shabby.
Here are a few more photos from the competition:
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(posted 3/21/2025)
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