This spring, 22 students have been busy building and programming the Marion Center Robotics  Robot, named Larry, for the FIRST Robotics Competition. Seven of these students were selected to be part of the “Drive Team” and traveled with two chaperones to Pittsburgh on April 5th through 8th to participate in the FIRST® Robotics Greater Pittsburgh Regional Competition along with about 50 other teams.  The Marion Center Robotics Team competed in eight matches directing the robot in moving cubes and cones, both autonomously and by driver control, balancing on a charge station, and navigating the field.

While Marion Center Robotics did not win first place overall, they were awarded the 2023 Rookie All-Star Award. This award is given to a first-year robotics group showing outstanding potential based on their answers to the judge’s questions.  Marion Center scored 50 points higher than the next team to win the Rookie All-Star Award.  

The Marion Center Robotics Drive Team will now depart on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to compete in the FIRST® Robotics World Competition in Houston, Texas.  The competition will run from Thursday, April 19th through Saturday, April 22nd.  An awards ceremony will follow the competition Saturday.  

Marion Center Robotics gives huge thanks to The Heinz Endowments, The Argosy Foundation, and the Marion Center Area School District for funding the robot build and competition registrations. As well as a big thank you to FedEx for shipping the robot, Larry, to Houston, TX, and back, at their expense.  

Marion Center Robotics would not be possible without the support of our School District, the Administration and Staff, and the Marion Center Community.  Thank you for all your financial contributions, donations, and participation in all of our fundraising efforts this year!

Press Release 04.13.23