Schools
Chicago Heights Robotics Team Raises Funds To Attend World Competition
The Blazin' Bots of Bloom Trail High School don't have enough money to send their entire team, robots and all, to the Dallas competition.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A high school robotics team is in need of funds to send over ten students to a national competition in Dallas, according to an online fundraiser.
The Blazin' Bots of Bloom Trail High School build and operate robots for local and state competitions that measure the bots' abilities to complete tasks, battle other robots and get through obstacle courses.
The team just qualified for the VEX Robotics World Competition which takes place in Dallas May 3 - 12. Due to the cost of transporting students and registering for events, however, the team told Patch they'll have to limit the amount of people — and robots — they bring.
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The VEX competition is hosted through the REC Foundation and has a slew of household name sponsorships including Google, NASA and Tesla.
For some seniors on the Blazin' Bots, representing at the tournament could be a first step towards a career in mechanical engineering, the GoFundMe stated.
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"We truly appreciate any and all contributions, but we appreciate the people giving us these even more," wrote senior captain Angel Flores in a statement.
The team doesn't have a set amount in mind and told Patch they'd be thrilled with any donation people are willing to spare. As of Friday, the GoFundMe had garnered over $5,000 for the trip.
Donate to the Blazin' Bots of Bloom Trail High School here.
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