Empowering future STEAM innovators for a brighter future.
Supporting education and innovation through competitive robotics.
The Crossroads STEAM Alliance FIRST Robotics program is dedicated to showcasing the importance of the STEAM community. Our affiliated FIRST Robotics teams share our commitment to the values promoted by FIRST. We strongly believe in our responsibility to grant the community with the same incredible opportunities that we, as FIRST robotics team members, have been fortunate to receive. Our main aim is to expose individuals to the wonders of STEAM through engaging and interactive experiences.
Our primary focus lies in reaching out to younger audiences, with the intent of fostering a lifelong passion for STEAM. We have developed the Imagine FIRST initiative, which is designed specifically for children at an early age. Through this initiative, we strive to cultivate an appreciation for STEAM by providing young minds with hands-on activities and immersive experiences. With Imagine FIRST, we hope to lay the foundation for a future generation that is enthusiastic about STEAM and all its possibilities..
FIRST Robotics
FIRST (For Inspiration of Science and Technology) Robotics is a global organization that aims to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders. It is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 to provide accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM utilizing competitive robotics.
Wild Dreams. Infinite Possibilities.
Our dive into the world of the FIRST robotics began with the dreams of both a local engineering teacher and a FIRST alumni. The desire to bring hands-on engineering and STEAM learning to students in the local area concluded in the participation of the 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). With that FRC Team #9121, Wild West, was born. Honoring the unique, ever-changing industrial landscape of Victoria, Texas.
The team faced with many setbacks in its inaugural year to include administrative challenges, low-resources, no prior robotics knowledge, and isolation from vibrant FRC communities in metropolitan areas. In spite of all those challenges, the team learned to keep persevering and it resulted in their very first District Event win at Houston. The team has since then transitioned into a community-based organization and continues to push for excellence in both its robot performance and its impact on Victoria and the Texas Crossroads Region.
Hometown Love and Beyond
FIRST Robotics pushes teams to make an impact on their community as much as their robot does on the playing field. We’re proud to call Victoria, TX home and appreciate the eclectic blend of industry, small-town charm, higher education and vast opportunities our city has to offer.
Our step into serving the community begins with our partnership with the YMCA of the Golden Crescent, where we work together to enhance our STEAM initiatives for both our programs. Our robotics team(s) regularly teach after-school STEAM classes, help with summer STEAM programming, and support the Y’s SHTEAM (Science, Health, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Bus events.
In addition to showcasing at STEAM events with our robot around town, we make time to attend events that further better our community. Such as highway clean-ups sponsored by Keep Victoria Beautiful.
We are also beginning to reach out to neighboring towns for collaboration with the goal of bettering STEAM and Robotics programs.
If you are interested in learning more about our initiatives or would like to start a robotics team, please contact us!
Wrangle Innovation, One Robot At A Time.
Remember when we said the team transitioned into a community based team? This team is the Wave Wrangler Innovation Co!
We ride the waves of change and wrangle innovation, never forgetting our wild origins!
The FIRST spirit encourages doing high-quality, well-informed work in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued. Gracious Professionalism seems to be a good descriptor for part of the ethos of FIRST. It is part of what makes FIRST different and wonderful.
— Dr. Woodie Flowers, (1943 – 2019)
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
contact@crossroadssteamalliance.org