Red River Rage Robotics Team Gears Up for World Championship in Houston
FARGO — The excitement is tangible as the Red River Rage robotics team readies itself for the World Robotics Competition in Houston, where they’ll compete against around 600 top teams from around the globe. The stakes are high, and the Fargo students are not only fine-tuning their robot but are also on a fundraising mission to gather $30,000 in just a few weeks.
Imagine the whirlwind of activity happening as these local high school students juggle their robot’s performance while hitting the pavement for sponsorships and support.
In the workshop, the scene is bustling. "Cycle to the climber, good job," one team member encourages another. The sound of motors whirring and tools clanking fills the air as students excitedly perform tasks—like navigating their robot through intricate maneuvers. “Go to eight, seek eight,” another commands, illustrating the rapid-fire communication integral to their strategy.
Rory Held, the team’s coach and STEM Alliance leader, highlights the intensity of this six-week time frame during which the students must design, build, test, program, and practice with their robot. “There are motors, circuits, pneumatics, batteries, and drive chains—plus writing code for specific games,” he explains, underscoring that these impressive feats are all accomplished by teenagers.
Adapting on the fly is vital in the competition. Team member Juliette Champagne emphasizes, “You have to make a game strategy, and if that changes midway, you need to communicate without panicking—even if the robot breaks down.” The collaboration among team members is both a delightful necessity and a learning experience. Some control the robot, others drive it, and some are dedicated troubleshooters, pulling together as a cohesive unit. Team member Karsen Brekke adds, “There’s a layer of compromise and communication that’s crucial at every step.”
The skills and experiences this team is gaining aren’t just for the competition; they’re sowing seeds for their futures. Several members have even committed to pursuing engineering degrees at North Dakota State University (NDSU). “Robotics teaches real-world skills like teamwork and collaboration,” comments Held, capturing the essence of why this initiative is so beneficial for the students and the Fargo-Moorhead community.
As the Red River Rage team fine-tunes their robot for the big event in Houston, they eagerly seek community support to help make their dream a reality. For anyone looking to contribute, you can visit STEM Alliance FM or First Championship to help raise funds towards their goal.
Additionally, you can catch many of the region’s robotics teams competing this weekend at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks—a perfect opportunity to cheer on these young innovators.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
