Robotics team advances to state finals

Team members include Abdulla Al-Dosari, Jai Daniel, Ishaan Sharma, Harsh Mali, Sidharth Nambiar, William Whitman, Josh Beitler, Matt Beitler, Rohan Inampudi, Ava Liu, Sam An, Felix Chen, Aaron Jiang and Ashwin Vasudevan. The team is coached by Rich and Sarah Beitler.

The Greyhound Sprint Qualifier was held on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at York Country Day School. This marks the team’s first Inspire Award and first time qualifying for the state championships, which is set for March 2025.

TeraBridges competed in five matches and was selected as a fourth-place alliance partner.

“Despite facing some challenges with their robot's performance throughout the competition, the team’s outstanding commitment to the values of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and its engagement in STEM outreach ultimately led them to earn the Inspire Award,” Coach Sarah Beitler said. “The Inspire Award is the highest honor at any FTC competition. It recognizes a team that demonstrates excellence in all aspects of the program.”

In addition to performing at a high level throughout the competition, Inspire Award teams must exhibit gracious professionalism, teamwork and inclusion, and outreach activities that promote STEM and community engagement.

“TeraBridges’ recognition for the Inspire Award comes after months of dedication and outreach,” Coach Sarah Beitler said. “The team has worked tirelessly to inspire the community, engaging in numerous STEM initiatives and outreach events.”

Team members recently toured STEM-related businesses including Proud Automation, Gecko Robotics, and Allegheny Millwork, with additional trips planned to PSA Systems, St. Clair Health Pharmacy Department, and Carnegie Robotics.

Outreach efforts have included hosting FTC and FIRST Lego League (FLL) events, creating the curriculum for the Robotics Club after school program for elementary students, hosting a free robotics event at the local library, and participating in the SpaceBurgh festival in Pittsburgh.

“In their award announcement, judges noted the team’s exceptional outreach efforts and their innovative use of 3D printing, with TeraBridges producing 55 3D-printed parts for their robot,” Coach Sarah Beitler said. “The team’s mission to inspire future leaders in STEM was highlighted as a key factor in their success.”

To learn more about TeraBridges (18603), visit www.ftc18603.org.