FIRST Robotics Team 172, “The Northern Force,” from Gorham and Falmouth High Schools were honored with two awards in a virtual ceremony on May 11. The 2021 challenges went remote to teams around the world. Team 172, one of 79 New England teams, met the virtual challenge by winning one of 21 awards. Their “High Voltage” game design concept focused on renewable energy. They also received a third award, a “Best Time Award,” in the second of four Mini-Bot Challenges judged on speed and accuracy.

Forty New England teams competed in the Innovation Challenge. Team 172’s entry, “The Seeing Eye,” was one of three teams that advanced to the semi-finals for achieving excellence across all required criteria. On May 17 they learned the team was selected as one of 20 teams as a finalist from the 882 teams that competed globally. The finalist round will take place in June in front of FIRST Strategic Partners and a global audience of peers and industry leaders.

Learn more about Gorham’s local FIRST Robotics Team and their award at www.northernforce.org.