MISSION, Texas - More than 1,200 border region students will meet at Royal Technologies in Mission on Saturday for the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Championship.
The regional championship comprises the best 48 robot-building teams from six FIRST leagues based along the South Texas border, from Brownsville to Laredo.
Of these 48 teams, five will advance to the FIRST World Championship in Houston in April, while ten of the best teams will advance to the FIRST UIL state championship in Dallas in March.
Jason Arms, president of FIRST RGV, said FIRST is the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education.
“The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership,” Arms said.
“We believe we are doing this in South Texas.”
FIRST is a nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen to encourage students to take an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Kamen said the vision is to “transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.”
Arms said FIRST RGV is thrilled to have teams from Laredo participate in the regional championship for the first time. “We are excited to have Laredo be part of the Rio Grande Valley chapter. It brings in about 26 additional middle school and high school teams.”
Arms said Saturday’s event is open to the general public from 12 noon.
“Doors open at 8 a.m., for the students to register and start building their robots. But we invite the public to attend from 12 noon. It is going to be an exciting event. The passion the students have for the program makes it a great event.”
Arms said Saturday’s event will also be special because FIRST will be hosting a Women are FIRST luncheon at Royal Technologies.
“We expect upwards of 80 young women to attend and network, meeting engineers from all over the Rio Grande Valley. It is open to all women students in the FIRST Tech Challenge program or FIRST Robotics competition. I would like to thank South Texas Manufacturers Association for sponsoring the luncheon.”
Arms said Royal Technologies, the largest advanced manufacturing plant in the Rio Grande Valley, deserves a shoutout also.
“The plant manager at Royal Technologies, Trung Cao Nguyen, deserves so much praise. We are honored to have him serve on our advisory board. He and Royal support us both financially and through in-kind contributions, allowing us to host our events there.”
Arms said Royal Technologies has hosted eight FIRST events so far this season. “We could not be happier to have a partner such Royal."
Asked if any VIPs would be in attendance, Arms said: “Invitations have gone out to local mayors, economic development leaders and school superintendents. We have also invited Julian Alvarez of the Texas Workforce Commission. Julian has been another big supporter of the work we do.”
Asked how many FIRST teams there are in South Texas, Arms said approximately 498. He said these teams comprise 5,000 students.
A FIRST team in Mission was recently praised by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz sent the following letter to John Hill, who runs Robotics Team 12448 M.A.R.S. at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission.
Mr. John Hill:
Robotics Team 12448 M.A.R.S.
Veterans Memorial High School
Dear M.A.R.S. Team,
It is a pleasure to join your families friends, and the Mission community in congratulating you on receiving the Inspire Award at the FTC Curie League Championships. This award recognizes your team’s extraordinary commitment to representing the best of your team and Veterans Memorial High School in the robotics community. You should be very proud of all that you achieved that led to this recognition!
Texas applauds your creativity, ingenuity, and grit. Your countless hours spent on projects means you will have the skills to take on any challenge. Your hard work as a team developed the knowledge that guaranteed your success at the FTC Curie League Championships. Your passion for sharing the amazing world of robotics with your community has ensured this program will remain a staple of Veterans Memorial High School.
I encourage you to remain committed to fulfilling your dreams and supporting each other by setting new goals, giving your best to your teammates, and takin these lessons into the other aspects of your lives. By doing so, this will be only one of many impressive milestones you reach in the years to come.
I wish you all the very best as you continue your work in robotics. I know you will continue to make all of Mission proud.
Sincerely,
Ted Cruz
United States Senator
Patriot engineering coach José L Sanchez thanked Cruz for his support.
“We are grateful Senator Ted Cruz took the time to recognize our MARS team 12448. As coaches our goal is always to push our students to share their passion for robotics, positively impact their community, and maintain a competitive spirit based on gracious professionalism. It is great to see their efforts being noticed and recognized beyond our local community,” Sanchez said.
