Newport Robotics Team finishes 5th at World Championship

Aquidneck Island Robotics FRC Team 78 – AIR STRIKE finishes 5th in the world after winning their division at the FIRST World Championship held in Houston, TX, from April 17 to April 20. AIR STRIKE is a community-based team comprised of 26 students from 15 communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an annual competition envisioned by inventor Dean Kamen.  Coined “the varsity sport for the mind” these competitions allow high school students to apply engineering principles to design, prototype and compete against other teams.

This 2024 FIRST season marks AIR STRIKE’s 15th year in FRC. After competing at the Bridgewater State University District Event, the team secured the top seeded position and went on to sweep the bracket and bring home first place. Following two more events in Revere, MA, and Springfield, MA, the team earned a qualifying spot at the FRC Championship in Houston. The championship event hosts 600 teams from around the world, split into 8 divisions. After their initial qualification matches, Team 78 was chosen by the top ranked team to compete along side them. They went undefeated in their divisional tournament, earning them yet another first place trophy and a spot in the interdivisional Einstein bracket, the winner of which would be the 2024 Champion. This was the first time 78 has made it to the Einstein playoff tournament where they ultimately finished 5th overall.

As they return home to Newport, Team 78 – AIR STRIKE looks forward to continuing their mission of fostering creativity, teamwork, and technological innovation within their communities and students.

For more information about Aquidneck Island Robotics’ High School FRC Team 78 – AIR STRIKE, or their elementary and middle school FLL or FLL Explore teams, please visit aquidneckislandrobotics.org

Source: Timothy Sieben, Mentor | Aquidneck Island Robotics