The LigerBots

The LigerBots is a FIRST FRC robotics team composed of members from both Newton North and Newton South High Schools in Massachusetts. Students participating in LigerBots design and build a complex robot that plays a game, which is different each year. They have six weeks to design and build their machine. Students program their robot to control it on the playing field. During the competition, teams are paired in alliances, working cooperatively with two other teams to outscore a team of three opponents. In past years, we have designed robots to play frisbee and basketball, stack packing crates, and put crates on large balances. You can see the 2020 robot challenge at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmiYWTmFRVE. In addition, the team is run like a small business. The team not only builds a robot, but students have to build a brand, create a business plan, organize and volunteer at community events, while building teamwork skills, finding sponsors and mentors, fundraising, and of course, still completing their homework. The LigerBots is a student-run team. In addition to the design and construction of the robot, LigerBots students are expected to take responsibility for all other aspects of the team, including fundraising, marketing, and publicity. Students on the LigerBots are also actively involved in community outreach and service. Ultimately, the goal of FIRST, and therefore, the goal of the LigerBots, is to take those principles in excellence of STEM education and spread them into the community at every level.