Danbury Robotics Team Has World Championship Aspirations

DANBURY, CT — A group of middle and high school students from around the area is fighting for a chance to test their robotics mettle against some of the best teams in the world, but needs help to get there. The League of Extraordinary Roboticists, a group of students from across the greater Danbury area and including New York, have been invited to compete at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in St. Louis from April 26 to 29, but needs help from the community to achieve their goal .

According to team coach Ellen Bell, four teams play on a 12x12 field and their robots must play offense and defense alongside an alliance partner. Bell says that participation in robotics not only helps students learn technical skills, but says that this "sport of the mind" better equips these students for their math and science classes, college and beyond. To sign up for Danbury breaking news alerts and more, click here.

"This sport gives these students skills that this country needs," Bell told Patch."The United States of America is behind in technology and unfortunately we have people coming over, so our kids need to get up to that level."

The team also aims to "change the face" of robotics by including kids, females and minorities. Some of the team's members have faced stereotypes while competing, with some of the team's minority members being told they shouldn't be competing.

"Our mission evolved out of some of our personal experiences," wrote seventh grade member Kay Bell on the team's gofundme page.."For example, some of our female team members were told that girls can't do robotics and one of our African American team members was told that African Americans don't participate in robotics, they play basketball and football."

Proceeds from the team's gofundme page will go towards air fares, hotels, team uniforms, food, robotics equipment and other needs. As of April 20, 32 people have raised $2,275 in 26 days. To read more about the team or to donate to their cause, click here.

Images via Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff