Robotics Students Shine at State Competition

Team TeraBridges received the Control Award and ROGO Lotus (#21357) team member Augusta Bottanari was named one of four Pennsylvania finalists for the FIRST Leadership Award.

The Control Award recognizes the team’s use of sensors and software to increase the robot’s functionality, autonomy and reliability. Based on the team’s performance, TeraBridges earned an invitation to compete at an FTC premier event. The team is one of 80 FTC teams that will travel to Long Beach, California for the Western Edge FIRST Tech Challenge Premier from May 28-31, 2026.

Augusta, an Upper St. Clair High School junior, is now in contention to become a national winner, with selections to be announced at the FIRST Championship, the world’s largest K-12 robotics event, scheduled for April 29-May 2, 2026, in Houston, Texas. The FIRST Leadership Award recognizes 10th- and 11th-grade students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, passion for FIRST core values, and dedication to the program's mission.

“This is a great honor,” Tracy Smith, USC Robotics Coordinator, said. “Students who earn FIRST Leadership Award status as semifinalists, finalists or winners, are great examples of student leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission.”

Three of Upper St. Clair High School’s five robotics teams – BotsBurgh (#11792), TeraBridges (#18603), and ROGO Rose (#26446) – qualified to compete at the Pennsylvania FTC Championship.

“All teams performed very well throughout the two-day event,” Mrs. Smith said. “With 40 of the top Pennsylvania teams present, the competition was very challenging.” 

The Upper St. Clair Robotics Club offers programming for students in kindergarten through grade 12, providing hands-on experiences in engineering, programming, CAD design, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Students participate in FIRST LEGO League (Explore and Challenge), FIRST Tech Challenge, community outreach projects and industry visits that connect classroom learning to real-world STEM applications.

FIRST Tech Challenge is an international program for students in grades 7-12. Teams design, build and program robots to complete themed challenges while developing skills in engineering, collaboration, communication and innovation. Teams advance through local qualifiers to state championships and, potentially, the FIRST World Championship.