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91̽����Ƶ’s Robotics Team, PATH To Domination 9027, recently wrapped up their third exciting season, and it was one for the books! As one of the only teams in the FIRST Robotics competition circuit with all neurodivergent members, the students built their robot from the ground up and brought it to life at the FMA Centennial District Event. The atmosphere? Electric. The mission? Simple: learn, compete, and have a blast.

Let’s rewind and take a look at how it all came together.

Deep Dive into the Season

Each year, FIRST Robotics announces a unique theme for their competitions. This year’s challenge, FIRST DIVE, asked students to explore life beneath the ocean’s surface. Teams were tasked with designing robots that could move algae onto coral, combining engineering, strategy, and science.

The students did not just build a robot – they dove into lessons on ocean biodiversity, environmental preservation, and the importance of teamwork in solving real-world problems.

Designing, Building, and Learning

From day one, our robotics team was hard at work. With a mix of returning team members and excited newcomers, the students used new tools and equipment to design and build a robot from scratch.

Over several months, the team collaborated on coding, building, testing, and problem-solving. They brainstormed solutions, tried out different strategies, and kept learning with every turn of a wrench.

Game Day Highlights

At the FMA Centennial District event, PATH To Domination 9027 brought their creation to life. Their mission: to move objects (the algae) across the competition space (the ocean) and onto coral platforms.

Throughout the day, the team showed adaptability and quick thinking, making changes to their robot to improve performance between rounds. They also built alliances with other teams and celebrated a win, scoring more points in each match.

Aidan, an 11th grader, stepped into a dual role as pit mechanic and morale officer.

“My goal was to bring positivity to the team and create a fun atmosphere,” said Aidan. “The robotics community is really welcoming, and I had a great time socializing with other teams. You do not have to win to win – victory comes second to camaraderie and friendship.”

Another teammate, Cristofer, added, “I always enjoy being in the robotics room, working on the robot and spending time with the team. It feels like a family. I got to try a little bit of everything: social media, driving, building, designing, and planning.”

Creating a Team of Belonging

Jessica Lawton, Pathway’s STEM Teacher and team leader, is proud of the students’ accomplishments and hard work throughout the season.

“Our goal this year was to focus on building a strong team,” said Lawton. “Everyone has a say. Every student has a place on this team. They had great ideas and grew so much in their knowledge of how to build a robot.”

Daniel DiMarcella, STEM Coordinator, is thrilled with Ms. Lawton’s leadership in her first year as the robotics coach.

“Jessica stepped into the role of head coach for the first time this season, and the impact she made was tremendous,” said DiMarcella. “Her commitment to student growth, team cohesion, and hands-on learning brought our robotics program to a new level. I’m incredibly proud of what she and the team accomplished together.”

Looking Ahead

This season may be over, but the journey is far from finished. PATH to Domination 9027 is growing, learning, and inspiring others one challenge at a time. We cannot wait to see what they build next!