Help Students Register for Robotics Competitions

3/29 Update: The Binary Crows took flight at the Ferris State University competition this weekend! We finished in 2nd after some tough battles. We also won an award for our autonomous program -- the portion of the match where robots score based on preprogrammed actions and drivers are not running the controls. See some of our matches here: 

https://youtu.be/ltaf3Pn4rt0?si=OxixzBRsohiVJzc7

 and here: 

https://youtu.be/F1J3js-dJuU?si=jsi2b3VCpf1zgzlD

We still need your help! Our next stop is the State Championship in Saginaw April 3-5. 

The mission: Raise funds to pay for State Competition registration and critical robotics parts.

View our Final Match of District Playoffs in Escanaba

Marquette Community FIRST Robotics Team 10589, the Binary Crows, has achieved an incredible milestone! As part of the winning alliance at the Escanaba District Qualifying Tournament on March 7-9, they became District Champions and have earned 80 ranking points, securing their spot at the State Tournament at Saginaw State University on April 3-5. They are currently ranked 2nd of 619 teams in the state! If they continue their success at the State Tournament, they will advance to the prestigious FIRST Championship in Houston, TX.

About the Binary Crows

Team 10589 was founded in Fall 2024 to create a more inclusive robotics program for Marquette Area High School students. The team is comprised of a small group of dedicated students who have been involved in robotics since elementary school and have big plans to pursue careers in STEM in their futures.

An incredible thank you goes to NMU Public Safety, for providing a practice and storage space. Thanks to a generous grant from FIRST, as well as support from local businesses like JM Longyear, Northcross Group, and UPPCO, the team was able to acquire the necessary tools and equipment to build a competition-ready robot in time for District Qualifiers.

Why We Need Your Help

With their outstanding performance, the Binary Crows have the opportunity to compete at higher-level events, but they need additional funding to cover entrance fees ($4000 for States, $6000 for Worlds), travel expenses, and essential robot components such as:

• Aluminum extrusion, shaft material, and polycarbonate sheets

• Wire, connectors, batteries, and related wiring components

• Motors, motor controllers, encoders, and sensors

• Gearboxes and swerve drive components

• Inertial measurement unit sensors and gyros

• Critical spare parts (motors, gears, electronics)

• Practice field materials and tools

Investing in Future Innovators

FIRST Robotics isn’t just about building robots—it’s about building future engineers, business leaders, and problem solvers. Each year, teams receive a brand-new challenge, requiring them to design, construct, and program a robot to complete specific tasks while collaborating with and competing against other teams. Learn more about FIRST at www.firstinspires.org.

By supporting the Binary Crows, you’re not just funding education, you’re investing in future engineers, business leaders, and problem solvers who will drive innovation. Together, we can empower youth to turn ideas into impact.

Make a Difference Today

All donations are tax-deductible. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our goal of competing at the highest level. Thank you for your support!

Together, we can empower these students to soar!