According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers are one of the fastest growing fields in the United States. However, American students are in the minority in STEM grad programs. FIRST was created to encourage students in elementary, middle and high schools to embrace STEM experiences.
MECO robotics is an East Orlando-based high school FIRST robotics team that formed in January 2020. We created a 125-pound robot that can pick up, carry, and throw balls while defending our side of the field in the FIRST Robotics Competition Our team consists of enthusiastic middle and high school students and ultra-supportive UCF mentors (former FIRST robotics team members themselves). We were all set to compete at the Orlando regional when Covid-19 reared it’s ugly head and canceled our first competition! During the 2021 competition year we won multiple awards for our virtual Game Design and Innovation Design! We are currently hosted by and working with Orange County Academy in Bithlo, Florida. We are looking forward to the 2022 FIRST Competition season!