![USM's FIRST Robotics team poses with a poster that says "winner"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1679068232/usmk12org/urjqcgw23edyh4w8yqq5/IMG_5918RT_WR.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1679068232/usmk12org/urjqcgw23edyh4w8yqq5/IMG_5918RT_WR.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1679068232/usmk12org/urjqcgw23edyh4w8yqq5/IMG_5918RT_WR.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1679068232/usmk12org/urjqcgw23edyh4w8yqq5/IMG_5918RT_WR.jpg","width":1000}])
The University School of Milwaukee FIRST Robotics Team #6823 returned triumphant from the FIRST Robotics regional competition in St. Louis, which ran from Wednesday, March 8 to Saturday, March 11. Held at Chaifetz Arena, 43 teams from around the country competed in qualification matches, semifinals, and final matches.
After several rounds, Team #6823 was asked to join an alliance team after the first semifinal match. Ultimately, the alliance won two out of the final three matches—putting Team #6823 on the winning alliance! In addition, Team #6823 won the FIRST Robotics Engineering Inspiration award, which celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.
“This award is very prestigious as only one team wins this award at each regional competition,” said Patricia Ptak, 2nd grade teacher and robotics coordinator. “The Engineering Inspiration Award is a huge honor,” added Dr. Amber Bakkum, Upper School science teacher and lead mentor for the team. “Not only does it recognize the awesome robot that we built this year, but it highlights the team and the school as a whole for their deep respect and enthusiasm for STEM.”
Winning the award secures Team #6823’s place at the FIRST Robotics Championship competition in Houston in April, with the registration fee being paid by NASA.
The team’s next competition is the Orlando regional event from Wednesday, March 15 to Saturday, March 18, followed by another regional event in Huntsville, Alabama, and the world championships in Houston.
Many thanks to the following individuals for their support of the team: Upper School teachers Dr. Amber Bakkum, Bob Bruch, and Ken Sikora; Lower School teacher Patricia Ptak, and parent volunteers Ryan Bruce, Ryan Petersen, and Stephanie Petersen.
