Eleven Nassau County school robotic teams readily compete in FIRST.
For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is a national program designed to provide accessible and innovative programs to encourage and inspire students to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.
Nassau County high school teams have traveled to Jacksonville, Gainesville and Lake City this year to test their robotic prowess against other FIRST Tech Challenge teams. The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School RoboFlashes, led by Christiana Morgan, and Fernandina Beach High School RoboPirates, led by Bradley Bean, smashed the other rookie teams in programming and mechanical design skills.
The North Florida League Championship brought the alliance of the Yulee High School RoboStingers and the West Nassau High School RoboTech Warriors together as they battled against the opposing alliance in the last round of the regional competition. While victory sided for their opponent’s robot, both teams were winners. The Connect Award went to the YHS RoboStingers inspired by YHS rookie coach Carrie Hensley and the Inspire Award went to WNHS RoboTech Warriors, led by coaches Shari Braddock and Karol Siusta.
Nassau County sent seven FIRST Lego League teams to tournaments in Jacksonville and Orange Park, including Callahan, Hilliard, Fernandina Beach and Yulee middle schools and Bryceville, Hilliard and Wildlight elementary schools.
The FBMS team, CHIK Hydo, and the HMSHS team, Flashes, both won their competitions.
The Nassau County School District’s robotics teams are sponsored by the Nassau Education Foundation and various other donors.
In 2015, the school district first competed with a total of five teams. This has now increased to a total of 11 robotics team, with one from each middle and high school, and three from the elementary schools.
