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ɫ����Ƶ recently celebrated a remarkable milestone by hosting the 25th Annual ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff FIRST Robotics Competition, a significant event that brings together innovative high school students from across Michigan and neighboring states to compete. Sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation, this year's kickoff attracted nearly 40  robotics teams eager to showcase their skills and creativity.

Since its inception in 1999, the ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff has evolved from a modest one-day gathering designed to help Michigan high school teams recruit members into a prominent competition in the FIRST Robotics community. Although the event went on a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since flourished, reaffirming its vital role in fostering interest in robotics and engineering among high school students.

Kim Shumaker, director of the Robotics Center at ɫ����Ƶ, emphasized the event's broader significance: “The ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff is more than just a robotics competition; it’s an opportunity for students to engage with the university, explore potential career paths, and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors.”

This year’s ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff featured an exciting two-day format that required teams to participate in qualification rounds and elimination matches. Over the course of the weekend, 37 teams competed in a total of 77 matches. The thrill of competition culminated each day with the crowning of a champion and the prestigious Top Dog Award. Saturday saw the alliance of 27 Team RUSH of Clarkston, 1506 Metal Muscle of Flint, and 1684 The Chimeras of Lapeer take home top honors. On Sunday, the alliance of 67 The HOT Team of Highland, 2834 Bionic Black Hawks of Bloomfield Hills, and 5460 Strike Zone of Lapeer bested the competition.

A notable highlight each day was the Bob Nichols Cornerstone Award presentation, honoring the former director of the Robotics Center and a pivotal figure in ɫ����Ƶ’s robotics history. Nichols was instrumental in establishing robotics scholarships and organizing the ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff since its inception. The two teams that won the award named after Nichols were the 1506 Metal Muscle of Flint and the 68 Truck Town Thunder of Ortonville.

The success of the ɫ����Ƶ Kickoff is largely attributed to the collaborative spirit within the robotics community. Volunteers, including local robotics teams and community members, played essential roles as referees and technical advisors. Each event served as a platform for connecting with students, providing them with opportunities to learn about ɫ����Ƶ and its personalized educational approach.

“Students involved in robotics have an advantage over anything else; it’s so similar to what ɫ����Ƶ provides with the Co-op program,” said Clinton Bolinger, associate director of the ɫ����Ƶ Robotics Center, highlighting the practical experience students gain through hands-on work.

Bolinger also emphasized that the First Robotics program is a crucial entry point for students, allowing them to explore various aspects of engineering and technology. “We want them to come to ɫ����Ƶ because we believe they’ll be successful,” he said, underscoring how FIRST Robotics participants are already learning skills they will need as the next generation of STEM leaders.