FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Competition 2026

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Brett Wilker, the Decorah High School (DHS) robotics coach along with many of the students from the DHS Robotics Club and their innovative creations will be on hand to recap the team's success at all levels of the 2026 "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Competiton. For the first time in Decorah Robotics history, both the varsity and junior varsity teams qualified for the multi-day state FTC tournament to be hosted at the Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville, IA on February 27-28. At the state tournament, 72 teams will be competing for the Iowa championship. The Decorah teams will be reporting on their journey to the state tournament, their results, and will be offering a hands-on demonstration of their robot creations.

FTC is designed for head-to-head competition in engineering and technology using a sports model. Teams of students design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Teams, including coaches, mentors, and volunteers are required to develop strategies and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments. Participating students perform real-world application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts and participate in an atmosphere that encourages team building, entrepreneurship and sportsmanship.

Decorah Rotarians may recall Brett and his robotics teams visiting the club in the upstairs room at T-Bocks back in April 2019 (<-story link) and again at the VFW in March 2025 (<-story link). Both demonstrations for Rotary were fascinating, entertaining, and inspirational and this 2026 iteration promises to be the same.

For more about the FTC state tournament please visit their website at 2026 FTC Iowa Championship.

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**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email. Given the popularity and expected attendance, advance lunch reservations are particularly important for this meeting.