Rutland Area Robotics achieved new milestone at championship in Houston

Rutland Area Robotics’ IBOTS FRC team 2370 achieved a program milestone at the 2024 Championship in Houston, Texas, by winning their division (Hopper) and reaching the World Series of robotics competition, the Einstein Finals.

Rutland Area Robotics’ IBOTS alliance of four teams placed fourth in a field of more than 600 FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) teams who attended the World Championship. 

FIRST organizers reported April 24 that from April 17-20, “50,000 people gathered to celebrate youth robotics teams from 58 countries at the 2024 FIRST Championship.” 

There are 4,000 FRC teams worldwide.

“Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team ‘brand,’ and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community,” FIRST organizers explained. “Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology FIRST Robotics Competition is the ultimate sport for the mind. High-school student participants call it ‘the hardest fun you’ll ever have.’ It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.”

Dan Roswell, Rutland Area Robotics president and lead mentor said, “We are very proud of the skills and passion that our team brought to the playing field. Our goal is to create excitement for science, technology, engineering, and math. Robotics team members are

our future engineers, the people that will meet the challenges of an everchanging demand

for a highly skilled workforce, one that will drive the success of families, communities, and the economy.”

Team member and graduating senior Margo Thompson pointed out, “I don’t think I would be the person I am today or in the place I am today without Rutland Area Robotics.”

“We are always looking for new members, mentors, and sponsors,” Roswell added. “Special thanks to our local sponsors, GE Aerospace volunteers, Alderman’s, Timco Jewelers, Stafford Technical Center, VELCO, Killington Resort and all of our mentors and volunteers. Onward to the competition in 2025!”