Ossining Robotics advances to ‘Worlds,’ takes top honors for inspiring youth

A team of students from the Ossining High School Engineering Club advanced to the finals in FIRST Robotics International Championship in Houston next month. They also received the organization's top honor at the Hudson Valley Regional competition: the FIRST Impact Award.

This is the fourth year in a row that the club’s team, the "O-Bots,” have advanced to the FIRST Robotics International Championship, known as “Worlds,” –a feat no other team in the Hudson Valley has achieved. On April 29 through May 2, they will be among more than 1,000 student teams and 50,000 attendees from 66 countries competing in STEM and robotics challenges. Last year, the O-Bots ranked #7 globally in one task, #8 in New York State, and in the top 6% nationwide.

The FIRST Impact Award recognized the O-Bots’ commitment to outreach and STEM advocacy in the Ossining community and beyond.

Club members help run hands-on STEM events at the Ossining Library and Hour of Code workshops in schools, and they assist Girl Scouts in earning their STEM badges. They also donated Lego sets and educational supplies to schools in Guatemala.

“We create opportunities for students to build confidence, explore engineering, and see themselves as future innovators,” said Ossining Engineering Club Advisor Doug Albrecht.

Team members highlight the positive impact that being part of the club has had on them, citing the empowering sense of community and access to mentors in the engineering field.

“This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of the entire team,” said LaToya Langley, principal of Ossining High School. “Congratulations, O-Bots—you’ve made us all proud!”