Varsity Robotics: FIRST Robotics Recognized by the Minnesota State High School League as a Varsity Sport; Winners of North Star Regional Chairman’s Award.
It was with great pride that Team 1816 stood with Minnesota Senator Al Franken at the Minnesota State Fair as the announcement was made that FIRST Robotics in Minnesota is now an endorsed activity of the Minnesota State High School League, complete with a State Championship. The Green Machine’s mentors and team captain were again in the spotlight on KARE 11 TV in September, part of an hour-long TV special on how mentoring students can make a huge difference in the world. At the March 2012 Lake Superior Regional, the team made it through semifinals and won awards for Entrepreneurship (the team’s business plan) and Best Website. At the North Star Regional, the team made it all the way to finals. While The Green Machine didn’t win the finals, the team did win awards for Entrepreneurship and Best Website, as well as the pinnacle of FIRST awards, the Regional Chairman’s Award, which sent Team 1816 (again) to compete at Championships in St. Louis. During Championships, the team learned that The Green Machine qualified for the first-ever Minnesota State High School League Robotics State Championship. At the state championship, The Green Machine made it through the semi-final rounds.