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Alexandria High robotics team showcases season, Impact Award and accessibility work
Summary
High school robotics team 3313 presented its program pipeline, described winning an Impact Award that advanced the team to Worlds, highlighted accessibility improvements (driver station ramps) and outlined upcoming regional competitions in Grand Forks and Tulsa.
Members of Alexandria Area High School's robotics program presented the team's work and community outreach during the school board meeting.
Jenny Engel, head coach of Team 3313, described the district's FIRST‑program pipeline: FIRST Lego League at the elementary level, FIRST Tech Challenge for middle school, and FIRST Robotics Competition at the high school level. Students outlined the team structure (CAD, build, electrical, programming and presentation subteams) and explained technical elements of this season's robot, "Tidal Wave," including a swerve drive and a twin‑camera limelight system used to align with field codes.
Student presenters said the team won the Impact Award this season, which contributed to qualifying for the world competition in Houston. They described an accessibility project: redesigning and building portable driver‑station ramps to improve wheelchair access; two ramps were used at regionals this year and students said they plan to expand distribution so 50 regionals will have ramps next season. The team listed upcoming regionals in Grand Forks (March 11–14) and Tulsa (March 31–April 4) and said travel will involve multiple teams traveling together from Alexandria.
Board members praised the students' work and thanked coach Jenny Engel for mentoring students. The presentation included a short match video demonstrating autonomous and teleoperated play.
