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FIRST Robotics

FIRSTRoboticsLogo2023

The mission of the Seattle Academy Robotics program is to offer curious students a place to learn foundational skills in building, coding, design, and business administration. For students that want to excel and commit more time, they will have an opportunity to explore high engineering problems and advanced coding techniques. We believe deeply in a student-run program with mentors to give support and vision. Students select from various proficiency building sub-groups that include but are not limited to coding, precision fabrication, Computer Aided Design (CAD), business & marketing, and more. Throughout the season, students have a sense of ownership and commitment to the program through a competition that promotes applied technical learning alongside a group of mentors who facilitate the experience. 

Seattle Academy started with a single First Tech Challenge team within the FIRST league, which is the largest competitive robotics league in North America. As the program grew and Seattle Academy found success at the World Championships three years in a row, we transitioned to the First Robotics Competition (FRC) league within FIRST, building faster and larger robots in a shorter amount of time and truly entering the “big leagues” of robotics. The FRC league pushes students to work together, learn skills, and have fun while doing it!

Photo of Seattle Academy Red Shift Robotics Logo

Seattle Academy competes in these three divisions of FIRST Robotics:

Seattle Academy First Robotics 2023 competing in the FTC League

FIRST Lego League/ FLL: 6th-7th grade team 62358, the “Lego Lizards”

First Lego League is an option for 6th and 7th grade students. The challenge is released in early Fall and the team starts buildings and coding robots to fulfill over a dozen tasks. It teaches the basics of building, programming, and teamwork.

Photo of Seattle Academy FIRST Robotics  2023

FIRST Tech Challenge/FTC: We have a “varsity” 7th/8th grade team 5619 “Horizon” and a 9th grade Upper School team 2856, “Tesseract”.

First Tech Challenge is a Middle School “varsity” option for 7th and 8th grade students and in the Upper School there is a 9th grade only team. They receive their challenge in Fall and build and program a robot throughout Fall and into Winter when the final competitions take place. The FTC season extends across both Fall and Winter trimester. 

Photo of Seattle Academy FIRST Robotics  2023

FIRST Robotics Competition/FRC: 9th-12th grade team 8032 “Redshift”. The “Big Leagues” of Robotics at SAAS.

First Robotics Competition is the “Big Leagues” of robotics in the Upper School at SAAS. There is a preseason in Fall where students build technical skills, and the main season launches in Winter. Students have a few months to build and program a 75 pound robot that can fulfill a variety of tasks. Competitions are in March so the season extends slightly into Spring Trimester.

Recent Awards and Accomplishments

2019-2020

FRC Rookie Team of the Year Award

  • Made it into the FRC playoffs as rookies
2018-2019

World Championships in Houston

  • Think Award Winners 
2017-18 Relic Recovery

Western Super Regionals

  • Innovate Award 2nd Place

Washington State

  • Winning Alliance
  • Inspire Nomination

Regional Tournament

  • Winning Alliance
  • Inspire Award Winner
 
2017-16 Velocity Vortex

World Championships in Houston

  • Finished in top 20 teams
  • Inspire Award Nomination

Western Super Regionals

  • Elimination Semi-Finalist
  • Design Award 2nd Place

Washington State

  • Inspire Award 2nd Place
  • Washington State Champions
2015-16 Res-Q

Western Super Regionals

  • Finalist Alliance 2nd Pick

Washington State

  • Inspire Award Nomination
  • Think Award Winner

Regional Tournament

  • Finalist Alliance Captain
  • Inspire Award Winner