Hamilton High School’s Charger Robotics Team 537 is preparing to compete in the FIRST® Wisconsin State Championship at Brookfield East High School April 17-19. The team earned a spot in the state competition after winning the Impact Award at the FIRST regional competition held at Mukwonago High School March 27-29. The Impact Award celebrates a team that best embodies the FIRST mission through making a notable impact on their community and students.
“Winning the Impact Award was a wonderful experience as it recognized the various STEM activities our team does to impact communities,” shares Hamilton High School junior Abbie Dong. “It was a reminder that we can do wonderful things, such as implementing a science curriculum supplement for third and fourth grade classrooms,” adds Dong. “I can’t wait to see what else Charger Robotics will accomplish in the future!”
The Impact Award is considered to be the most prestigious because it brings the focus of FIRST back to building and transforming the STEM culture while encouraging today’s youth to become leaders in STEM. Over the past year, Charger Robotics has reached more than 460,000 individuals and provided 2,700 people with hands-on STEM experiences. This was accomplished through a number of programs, including STEM Blast Off assemblies that were held in fall at all four of the Hamilton School District elementary schools. The assemblies featured interactive STEM opportunities, designed specially for third and fourth grade students.
“I have learned that organizing and participating in outreach, such as the STEM Blast Off assemblies, should be for the purpose of bringing meaningful change,” explains Hamilton High School junior Shaanvi Konda Gopinath. “Winning the Impact Award is a reminder that Team 537 is on the right track to make a notable difference in our community and inspire the next generation of leaders. I am super excited to have the opportunity to present for the Impact Award at the State Championship!”
Hamilton High School freshman Pranit Arora says winning the Impact Award was a memorable experience. “I look forward to participating in more outreach efforts with Team 537 and making a true impact on my community,” shares Arora.
FIRST® Robotics Competition teams use sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized robots to play a themed field game in an action-packed alliance format. This is done under strict rules, with limited time and resources. Each team develops a brand, raises funds to meet its goals, and works to promote STEM in the local community.