Rockwall, TX (April 7, 2023) – Team 1296, Full Metal Jackets from Rockwall High School, competed in the FIRST in Texas robotics competition in San Antonio on March 16th-18th, 2023. The team spent over 10 weeks building a robot to meet the challenge of the game FIRST released on January 7, 2023. The team and the robot earned the Industrial Design award in this competition for their uniquely designed robot. Their robot was designed to be much smaller than normal, making its features compact, in order to score their way to 8th seed alliance as captain.
Team 1296 is more than just robots. Throughout the team’s history, they have created many initiatives to get more people involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to help make a difference in the community. The team advocated for STEM funding at the national level, helping ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) get funded at $1.2 billion annually for STEM education in Title l schools. The team started a recent program to help Boy and Girl Scouts earn their robotics badge by guiding them through building a LEGO robot and teaching them about robotics and STEM. They have many more initiatives including STEM Gals, starting younger teams, hosting robotics events, collecting cell phones for Secure the Call, collecting and making LEGO kits for refugees, and more! The students on the team create their own business plan, write grants, and secure sponsors to support the team and advance their initiatives. They hope to expand their outreach outside their community and reach more people for STEM!
At the competition, the team’s robot made it to the semi-finals before they lost 115 to 128! Whether they are mentoring the next generation of STEM innovators or advocating for STEM awareness and funding, they will let everyone know that they believe ANYONE CAN DO STEM!
Submitted Press Release by Isaiah Fosnight, FRC 1296 Full Metal Jackets EVP of Public Relations, Chairman’s presenter, and student ambassador
Rockwall High School Full Metal Jackets – Team 1296 – Wins Award at Robotics Competition added by Melanie M on
View all posts by Melanie M →