Iliana McBride, 12 years old
Bryleigh McBride photo
FIRST Tech Challenge is a competitive challenge for 7-12 grade students. They build, design, code, and CAD. They work hard on their robots to perfect them so they have a chance to make it to state.
The competition is simple. First you start with an autonomous, which is a code you create to shoot balls while you aren’t holding the controller. If your robot moves from its starting place you will get three points. Next, you must put 3 balls which in this case are called artifacts, in a certain order that is required and shoot them into a rack. If you get the order correct you get five points total, three come from shooting the artifact into the goal and it makes it and two bonus points for making the artifacts in the correct order.
In the endgame you shoot your final artifacts and move over to the base area. The base area is where your robot parks for points. If the robot is partially in that is five points, if the robot is fully inside of the box that is ten points. If one robot lifts over another robot that is a total of 30 points.
Minot has two teams going to state. They are Rogue Robots and Spare Parts. They work hard to improve their robots in any way possible. These teams are actually sister teams working together even though they aren’t on the same team.
Spare Parts is a rookie team that was made this year. The name was made because all the members of the team came from Rogue Robots and were transitioned to Spare Parts.
Rogue Robots is the original team. They are special because the coders worked extra hard this year so the robot can move smoothly.
Both teams will be competing for a chance to go to nationals on February 14th in Bismarck.
The 2026 National Civics Bee is coming around the corner!
All kids through 6th, 7th, and 8th grade that go to public schools, private schools, and are homeschooled in North Dakota are welcome to apply to this event.
Students submit a four paragraph essay that involves ideas about improving their communities and city. The top scoring essay finalists are invited to do a live quiz in Minot. This helps students with writing, public speaking, and civics.
The first place winners will earn the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to compete at the National Championship, and compete for cash prizes, $100,000 education saving plan, and national recognition.
