STEMstangs Robotics Team Visits Rotary Club

The STEMstangs, Strongsville High School’s competitive robotics team, recently visited our Rotary Club to share their journey in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). The team, FTC 12569, competes in engineering, coding, and community outreach, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and problem-solving.

A Season of Innovation and Competition

Each year, FTC releases a new challenge, requiring teams to design, build, and program a robot to complete specific tasks. This season’s challenge, "Into the Deep," involves manipulating game elements—samples, specimens, and clips—on a 12’ x 12’ competition field. Matches include an autonomous period (pre-programmed robot actions) and a teleoperated period (driver-controlled play), where scoring is based on strategic placement of game pieces.

To meet this challenge, STEMstangs members divide into sub-teams focused on chassis, intake, outtake, and software development. Their robot features 3D-printed components, including a custom claw and bucket, as well as advanced programming for automated scoring sequences.

Success on the Competition Floor

The team has competed in three tournaments so far, earning top honors:

• Aurora League Tournament – 1st place Connect Award
• Hinckley Qualifier – 1st place Connect Award
• Kent State Qualifier – 2nd place Connect Award, 3rd highest-ranked team

These achievements have earned them a spot in the Ohio State Championship on March 8, 2025.

Beyond Robotics: Community and Outreach

The STEMstangs are committed to giving back, organizing multiple community service initiatives:

• Food Drives – Collected over $2,000 worth of food for the Strongsville Food Bank.
• Book Drive – Donated over $2,500 worth of children’s books.
• STEM Outreach – Hosted robotics demonstrations at Strongsville Middle School and assisted in planning Polaris Palooza, an event where middle schoolers build their own robots.
• Business Expo – Engaged with local companies at the Strongsville Business Expo, securing sponsorships and industry insights.

Building More Than Robots

With 30+ hours per week spent together in meetings, competitions, and social activities, team bonding is a key part of their success. Activities such as bowling, pickleball, and an upcoming escape room challenge help foster collaboration and strengthen team dynamics.

During the visit, the STEMstangs also demonstrated their robot, showcasing its ability to pick up and place game elements. When asked how long it took to build, the team estimated over 100 hours, including multiple redesigns to optimize performance.

Join Us in Supporting the STEMstangs!

The team expressed their gratitude to Rotary Club for its sponsorship and extended an invitation to attend their State Championship on March 8, 2025.