Running for GearCats

The world is ever changing, and robotics is the way of the future. Robotics is used to automate many things in our lives today and the reliance on these technology advancements will only grow. Knowing this, a dedicated group of parents and teachers at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, formed a FIRST robotics competition team, the GearCats 6500, based out of Millbrook High School. GearCats, Team 6500 (“GearCats”) gives students an opportunity to engineer, design and teach others about robots. GearCats have many opportunities to test and refine their robots by competing in state and world-wide competitions. Last year, the GearCats battled 65 regional teams to advance to the NC State Championship. Here is a clip from one of the events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDCHb3pNUvs. GearCats must have funds to register, compete, and engage in competitions and outreach activities and build a competition robot. Any funds received support this great cause. But it is much more than just robots! Students learn how to work as a team, develop soft and hard skills, leadership skills, build confidence in their abilities and communicate. GearCats Team 6500 is affiliated with the FIRST Robotics program (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen (who invented the Segway). FIRST is an international organization founded in 1989 and dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology while building high school students’ STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). This year FIRST will serve more than 90,000 high school students and mentors, in more than 160 worldwide events. High-school-aged participants are eligible to apply for more than $80 million in scholarships from leading colleges, universities, and corporations. Studies have shown that FIRST Alumni are highly motivated to pursue careers in science and engineering, thus fulfilling Dean's goal of inspiring the next generation of technological leaders. Here from our students what this program means to them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joF8xEmJP_g .