Texas Torque Robotics qualifies for World Championship; local students prepare for global competition April 18-21

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- FIRST Robotics Team 1477 Texas Torque won big on March 17th at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lone Star Central Regional in Houston.

Texas Torque, a student-led team of Conroe/The Woodlands area high school students supported by mentors Scott Rippetoe, Sherry Coats, Matt Davies, Karen Humes, Ryan Berg, and Ray Wert, built a robot for this year’s “Power Up” challenge. In this challenge, teams compete to gain points by moving power cubes onto scales and switches, then climbing and hanging on the scale at the end of the match to defeat the “boss.”

These thrilling competitions combine the application of science and technology with the intense energy of a sporting event, giving all participating students the option to turn “pro.”

Texas Torque’s alliance partners were Jersey Voltage from Jersey Village and Howdy Bots from Austin. In addition to winning the competition, Texas Torque took home the acclaimed Engineering Inspiration Award and the UL Safety Award; on top of this, a member of the team became a Dean’s List Finalist.

The team has advanced to compete in the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship, to be held April 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park in Houston. This event is free and open to the public.

Texas Torque was part of the alliance that won the 2013 World Championship. Come cheer on Texas Torque as they compete with thousands of students on the world stage to claim the championship title! Texas Torque welcomes your participation as a spectator, volunteer, team member, sponsor, or mentor. Please visit us by searching Texas Torque on Twitter or Facebook, or at www.texastorque.org.