McQuaid Jesuit sponsors two “competitive” FIRST Robotics teams: FIRST “IgKnighters” Robotics (high school) and FIRST Lego (middle school). Co-curricular robotics programs are fundamental to achieving the goals of a strong STEM curriculum like McQuaid’s because they teach relevant skills and background knowledge while allowing students the opportunity to experiment and gain hands-on experience. McQuaid’s robotics students work collaboratively with one another and their mentors to build, program, and use a robot in competitive settings.
FIRST Robotics – IgKnighters
The IgKnighters is McQuaid’s FIRST robotics team open to all high school students. The mission of the team is to inspire an interest in STEM. The principal activity is to conceive, design, and build a competition robot from January to March and then compete in the current year’s “game” at FIRST regional and national events. IgKnighters are challenged to design and build a robot using “off the shelf parts” as well as those they custom design (using CAD) and manufacture (using CAM). The team is guided by a common set of rules in order to play a sophisticated field game. During a typical “build season,” McQuaid students can spend up to 150 hours building their robot or working on other team activities.
Non-build/engineering opportunities are available to those interested in game strategy and data analytics, website development and social media campaigns, marketing activities, sponsor engagement and fundraising.
Off-season activities include smaller tournaments and promoting engineering excellence at a variety of community settings including Red Wings Games, School Science Fairs and Rochester Diocese / McQuaid events. Additionally, the team sponsors, organizes and staffs a FIRST Qualifying Tournament for elementary and middle school students involved in Lego Robotics.
The team’s sponsors include: Xerox Corporation, L3 Harris, the Gene Haas Foundation, and Midwest Financial. The team is supported by a diverse set of professional mentors who volunteer their time and talent, helping students with all aspects of running the team.
The IgKnighters are the logical starting point for students interested in STEM, engineering and computer careers or for those looking for a solid team experience outside of athletics.Visit the team’s official website for more information.
FIRST Lego Robotics
FIRST Lego Robotics is a registered First Lego League (FLL) team which works toward a goal of learning about the world, robotics, and each other. Our team builds science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Each fall, McQuaid is proud to host the Rochester area’s FIRST Lego League Competition.
In addition, the IgKnighters are proud hosts of the annual “Let’s Solve Water” contest. Partnering with our sponsor Xylem, the IgKnighters are proud to be a part of creating a contest that not only supports local robotics teams, but educates students about real-world water sustainability issues facing many in the developing world.