West Windsor teams shine at FIRST International Robotics Competition in Houston

The recent discussions surrounding the FIRST International Robotics Competition highlighted the impressive achievements of local teams from West Windsor-Plainsboro, New Jersey. This event, held in Houston, Texas, showcased the talents of students engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through hands-on robotics experiences. FIRST, founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, aims to inspire young people by fostering innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Two teams from the West Windsor-Plainsboro community participated in the competition: the "Don't Blink" team, a community-based FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) team supported by the Princeton STEM Academy, and the "Midnight Inventors," a school district-supported FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team. The significance of their participation is underscored by the fact that only 2% of the 9,000 FTC teams worldwide earn a spot at the FTC World Championships. Notably, the "Don't Blink" team received the prestigious Inspire Award, recognizing their embodiment of the values promoted by FIRST.

In addition to the robotics competition, discussions also took place regarding the protections for the LGBTQ+ community in New Jersey. Members of the High School South Spectrum Group, which serves as a GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) affinity group, engaged in conversations about these protections. They, along with other spectrum teams across the district, have been invited to participate in the upcoming Robbinsville Bridal event. This event, themed "5 Towns in 5 Years," aims to foster collaboration among neighboring towns, including West Windsor, East Windsor, Allentown, and Hamilton.

The achievements of the robotics teams and the ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights reflect a commitment to community engagement and support for diverse initiatives. As these discussions continue, the community looks forward to further collaboration and recognition of its students' accomplishments.