KHS Robotics Team Wins Regional Competition, Moves on to State Championship

Kirkwood High School (KHS) Robotics team “Sigma Six” qualified for the Missouri For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge (FTC) State Championship scheduled February 23, 2013 at Missouri S&T in Rolla, MO by being a member of the winning alliance at the first qualifier held on December 8, 2012 at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley.

There were over 95 teams in the state of Missouri who competed for a spot at the FTC State Championship and only 36 teams qualified. Of that 36, two will receive bids to the 2013 World Championships which will be held at the Edward Jones Dome/America's Center April 24-27, 2013.

By competing in FIRST robotics events, students develop real work skills and experiences, have the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in scholarships at top engineering schools, plus network with technical career companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

FIRST Board member Susie Mathieu said, “Kirkwood's teams are rookies this year and for a rookie to qualify in their first tournament is amazing.”

Brian Beyer is the Founder/Chairman for the KHS Robotics teams and a Boeing Engineer.  “I am so proud of our KHS students and players, all of them, for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the FTC Ring it Up Challenge game this season.   They had to develop solutions amongst a diverse team of players with varying skill sets and abilities to design, build, and program their robots to compete in this year's challenge game.  Awesome job!” said Beyer.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, 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.