Virginia State University is the First HBCU to Host Prestigious Robotics Competition
Virginia State University’s (VSU) College of Engineering and Technology became the first HBCU to host the FIRST Chesapeake District FIRST Robotics Competition Championship. The prestigious event consisted of fifty-four high school teams battling in head-to-head robotics competitions.
Designed to support student engagement in real-world engineering, the FIRST robotics challenge in 2024 was presented by Haas. The teams collaborated to raise funds, create a team brand, build industrial-size robots programmed to play a challenging game.
This year’s event included a Tech Mixer that featured exhibitor booths where companies showcased their innovations and engaged with both high school and VSU students. Additionally, during the weekend, VSU hosted its Annual Research Conference/Symposia focused on student research in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, mathematics and health disparities.
Founded in 1989, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), is a global nonprofit that prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience.
The regional program that competed on VSU’s campus, FIRST Chesapeake serves the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia region and its mission is “to inspire young minds, encourage collaboration, and build a brighter future through the exploration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).”
“These opportunities create excitement and energy for young people to pursue STEM careers and are especially important for students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds,” said Lorin Sodell, Director of External and Industry Engagement within the College of Engineering and Technology.
Alex Bryant, the Executive Director for FIRST Chesapeake, said of this partnership “As we prepare to welcome high school teams from across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, this milestone is not just about the competition itself; it’s a testament to the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.”
FIRST Chesapeake qualifying teams for the national competition and award results from the April 4-6 competition are listed on the FIRST Robotics Competition website. The FIRST Championship-FIRST Robotic competition is scheduled for April 17- April 20, 2024 in Houston Texas.