Harris Academy Sutton Robotics Teams First Tech Challenge

Support Our School’s Robotics Teams – Help Us Compete at Nationals!

We are two robotics teams (25056 & 22593, named Fusion & Drakon respectively) that have made it to the national level in the First Tech Challenge, a prestigious STEM competition where students design, build, and program robots to complete complex tasks.

Why We Need Your Support:

Over the past two years, we've proudly sent teams to nationals; competing at this level requires advanced robotics components that we can't afford without external funding. Our competition is mostly made up of grammar and private schools that have an abundance of resources. We want to give our students the same opportunity where their skills, rather than resources, are the only limiting factor.

This year, our goal is to build two high-quality robots that will give our students a real chance at competing at the highest level. Your donation will directly fund the materials and technology needed to make this happen!

Our Story:

We went into regionals with very low expectations. In the morning, Fusion had a robot that wasn't driving straight and Drakon had an arm that wasn't extending. Struggling through the day, we made the most of our situation, by making on the fly changes that paid off, while helping and being helped by others. After 5 qualification matches, we placed 5th and 7th, then competed in a double elimination tournament against the top teams. We started as underdogs but managed to win the upper finals and went on to win the grand finals- securing our places at nationals. It will be extremely difficult to even place in the top 10 of nationals with our current robots and parts. We have been made aware of our weak points during regionals; to carry on performing well we understand that securing funding is key.

What Your Support Will Fund:

Mecanum Wheels (£150 for 4): Advanced wheels that allow precise movement in any direction without changing robot orientation.

Viper Linear Slide Kits (£200 x2): Strong, extendable mechanisms for scoring and climbing.

Yellow Jacket Motors (£50 x6): High-powered motors for efficiency and speed.

Expansion Hub (£150): Allows us to run more motors for advanced functions required for high scoring games.

Why This Matters:

By donating, you're not just helping us build robots- you’re investing in students’ futures. Robotics teaches engineering, coding, problem-solving, and teamwork, preparing students for careers in technology and STEM fields.

Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to making this dream a reality. Please donate and share to help our teams succeed at nationals!