FRC Robotics Teams Compete in the ILITE Robotics Off-Season Challenge (IROC) at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, VA

Twenty-two high school teams from Virginia, Maryland and DC gathered to compete in Recycle Rush, the 2015 First Robotics Competition (FRC) challenge.  In the game of Recycle Rush, alliances of three robots driven by students work together to lift totes and recycling bins into tall stacks to earn points. 

FRC combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology.  Each robot and its unique features are designed, built and programmed by students.  “It’s more than the thrill of robot performance.  Participation in FRC helps students develop professional skills in business, engineering design, time management, teamwork and communication” said Professor Gail Drake, Team 1885 coach.  “Many of the competition volunteers planning and staffing an event of this size and complexity are students.” 

IROC is hosted annually by Battlefield High School FRC Team 1885, ILITE Robotics in Haymarket, Virginia.  Competitors include Manassas teams 2068 and 4472 based at Osbourn Park High School coached by Brian Eichas and team 1731 coached by Brent Leppke from Fresta Valley Christian School in Marshall, Virginia.  Lockheed Martin, U.S. STEM and Micron sponsored the event and graciously provided keynote speakers Stephanie Lockhart from Lockheed Martin and Doug Donegan from US STEM.

At the end of the day long event and after many hours of robot driving and repairs, the final alliance of three teams won the tournament with a perfect final match.  The winning alliance was led by host ILITE Robotics (Team 1885) from Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Virginia,  Blue Cheese (Team 1086) from Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia and Fresta Valley Robotics (Team 1731) from Fresta Valley Christian School in Marshall, Virginia.

To learn more about FIRST go to www.usfirst.org

Photos are provided by Doug Donegan U.S. STEM Foundation