

FIRST®
Robotics
Initiative

Welcome to the online home of the Great Lakes Science Center's Robotics Initiative. We are a collaborative group of FIRST® Robotics Competition teams from several urban high schools in Cleveland, Ohio. Although we are six (6) separate teams representing multiple rival high schools, we have come together at the science center to learn and share resources, including tools, mentors, and workshop space, while building industrial-sized robots to compete on the world stage. Along the way, we've improved our skills, made lasting friendships, and grown together as a “family.” Be sure to check out the content in the ABOUT tab to learn more about our teams and what we do.
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About the FIRST ® Robotics Competition
The FIRST® Robotics Competition is an international engineering design challenge that combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. Working under strict rules, with limited resources, and time limits, high school teams of up to 30 students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program a robot to perform a set of prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. The Challenge (Game) changes each year and teams of young people (and their mentors) have just six weeks to engineer a solution to the challenge, using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules... It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get, and the perfect training ground for life’s real-world challenges.
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For more information about the FIRST® Robotics Competition, visit the program website at: www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc.
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Our Credo (Statement of Belief)
We are FIRST®… We are an inclusive organization that embraces all students regardless of race, gender, physical or mental ability, or socio-economic status.
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We believe we are BETTER and STRONGER TOGETHER!
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We believe we are ENGINEERED for success and put service to others before ourselves!
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We value science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and pledge to use what we’ve learned to CHANGE LIVES and make our communities, and the world a better place!
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Interested in Building, Programming, and Competing With Industrial-sized Robots?
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Members of team #8222 (The Argonauts of Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School) make mechanical repairs to their robot between matches during a recent Regional Tournament - Image Credit: J. Bradshaw
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The Great Lakes Science Center's Robotics Initiative invites you to join one of our six supported teams. Our program is open to any high school student enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).
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"Mr. Suggs " was the name of the competition robot engineered by members of team #9622 (GRIDLOCK) from the Garrett Morgan School of Engineering & Innovation.
WELCOME...



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SEASON CALENDAR
AT A GLANCE
Click the active links below for additional information about that event or activity, and to learn which team(s) are participating.
PRE-SEASON EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Voltage Valley Vibeā
October 15, 2025
Warren G. Harding High School
860 Elm. Rd, Warren, Ohio, 44484
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Cullens Cancer Clash (C3)
October 25 -26, 2025
Northville High School
45700 6 Mile Rd
Northville, MI 48168
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āā2024 CORI Invitational
TBD
Worthington Kilbourne High School
1499 Hard Rd,
Columbus, OH 43235
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November 15, 2025 (9 AM- 4 PM)
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
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ā2025 REGULAR SEASON ACTIVITIES
January 10, 2026
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Weekly Build & Practice Sessions
Meeting days, times, and locations vary by team. Click the link above to see the tentative schedules for all supported teams.
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āāBuckeye Regional
March 18 – March 21, 2026 (Week 3)
Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University
2000 Prospect Avenue E.
Cleveland, OH 44115
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April 1 – April 4, 2026 (Week 5)
Cintas Center, Xavier University
1624 Musketeer Drive.Cincinnati, OH 45207
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2025 Student Recognition & VIP Awards Dinner
April 24, 2025
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
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April 29 - May 2, 2026
George R Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
Houston, TX 77010
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āāOFF-SEASON EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
2025 Ohio State Championship
(Date TBD)
Worthington Kilbourne High School
1499 Hard Rd,
Columbus, OH 43235
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Hands Across Borders Build Sessions
Every Thursday & Saturday
(May 7 - June 20, 2026)
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
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Saturdays: 10 AM - 3 PM
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Thursdays: 5 PM - 8 PM
2026 Med Access International Humanitarian Medical Mission
June 22 - July 2, 2026
Hospital General Latacunga
Latacunga, Cotopaxi Province
Republic of Ecuador
2026 Med Access International Prosthetics Only Medical Mission
Date: TBD
C. Mary Pérez Viuda Marranzini
Santo Domingo 10203,
Dominican Republic