Palouse Area Robotics Team Gears Up for Another Season

P.A.R.T. students work on their robot Feb. 16 in Colfax. Clockwise from left to right, Connor Johnson, Sydney Welling (standing in white shirt), Isaiah Spielberg, Shane Roberts, Joshua Heithe, Keith Stormo, Truman Welling, Cameron Dearien and Riley Kopp.

Another F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) season has begun in the Palouse. After last year’s season culminated in earning a trip to the World Championships in St. Louis, the program has grown to include 28 local students and 16 mentors. High school students from Pullman, Colfax, Colton, Gar-Pal and Moscow have just completed their six-week build project period which included designing, building (mechanical and electrical), programming and troubleshooting a competitive robot.

Also known as Team 4061, the robotics team will compete in this year’s game “Recycle Rush.” Their first competition will be March 5-7 at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. This 4H science program is mentor-guided and supports expanded hands-on learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).