What are Robotics Teams?
Open to eighth grade and high school students, "Robotics Teams" build and program VEX robots to compete in VEX Robotics Competitions. The teams meet at least once a week after school, but they often meet much more during tournament season (January through early April). Each team has about 6 team members. Eighth grade students compete in junior high school competitions, while high school students compete at the high school level. In 2021-2022, Milford fielded 5 eighth grade teams and 7 high school teams. The teams have the opportunity to compete in multiple local tournaments each year, and some teams decide to travel to tournaments throughout the tristate area. Teams that win local competitions or awards can qualify for the State Competition in March (Columbus, OH) and the Worlds Competition in April (Dallas, TX).
The eighth grade season runs from October to April. High school season begins in May, runs through the summer and ends in April. Each team has a parent/guardian volunteer that acts as a Team Facilitator help schedule team meetings / events, and to guide the team in applying skills and techniques that students learn during classwork. In reality, the Team Mentors learn from the students from what they learn in class. The Team Mentors' main role is to help the student teams learn time and task management as they design, build, program and compete with their robots.
What are the fees?
Team members are asked to pay club fees and to participate in fundraising. The Milford Engineering and Robotics Boosters (MERB) typically pays for entry into 2 local competitions. Depending on teams' decisions, each member may be responsible for additional competition fees and travel expenses.
100% of the club fees and summer camp fees go back into the robotics program to purchase new equipment, replace broken/outdated equipment and other expenses related to running the robotics program. For these fees, please mail a check:
- Make the check out to: Milford Robotics
- Include your child's first and last name in the memo field and the event name: ie "Robotics Team", "Robotics Summer Camp", or "Robotics Club".
