MATE

A running joke in FIRST is having a "watergame", where robots will compete in a water-based environment.  (For those less familiar with robotics, water and robots don't mix well.)

However, we did help start an underwater robotics team, the "SeaCows" of Lanier High!  They participate in the MATE ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) challenge, competing for the first time in May, 2021.  During their first-ever competition, our SeaCows won the Engineering Award!  In year 2 they qualified for Worlds!  In year 3, they WON their regional event, finished #9 in the world, and their captain won the award for top engineer! 

This is a great example of how FIRST "inspires" students to pursue their STEM interests "beyond the bots".