Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

7252

Vicious Volts

7253

Raging Robots

7254

Voltage Valkyries

Competition History & Achievements

2017–2018 (RELIC RECOVERY): All three teams (7252, 7253, and 7254) advanced to the Michigan State Championship in Battle Creek. Team 7253 (Raging Robots) was selected through the advancement lottery to compete at the FIRST World Championship in April 2018.
2018–2019 (ROVER RUCKUS): Teams 7252 and 7253 competed, with Team 7252 advancing to the Michigan State Championship.
2019–2020 (SKYSTONE): Team 7252 (Vicious Volts) advanced to the Michigan State Championship, earning the Control Award (3rd Place) and finishing as a Marie Curie Division Finalist Alliance Captain.
2020–2021 (ULTIMATE GOAL): All three teams advanced to the Michigan State Championship. Team 7252 earned the Control Award at the Kentwood Qualifier, while Team 7254 (Voltage Valkyries) earned the Control Award at the Coloma Qualifier.
2021–2022 (FREIGHT FRENZY): All three teams advanced to the Michigan State Championship. Team 7253 finished as a Curie Division Finalist Alliance member at States. Team 7252 earned the Think Award at the Lake Orion Qualifier.
2022–2023 (POWERPLAY): Teams 7252 and 7253 advanced to the Michigan State Championship. Together, they formed the Winning Alliance at the Rochester Hills Qualifier, with Team 7253 serving as Alliance Captain.
2023–2024 (CENTERSTAGE): Teams 7252 and 7253 advanced to the Michigan State Championship, where they joined forces to win the Marie Curie Division Championship and finished as State Championship Finalists. Team 7252 also earned the Design Award and Control Award at qualifying competitions.
2024–2025 (INTO THE DEEP): All three teams advanced to the Michigan Southeast State Championship. Team 7252 won the Rochester Hills Qualifier and finished as a Woodie Flowers Division Finalist Alliance member at States. Team 7253 earned Control Award (2nd Place) at States, while Team 7254 earned the Motivate Award and Design Award at qualifying competitions.
2025–2026 (DECODE): Teams 7252 and 7253 advanced to the Michigan Southeast State Championship. Team 7252 earned the Think Award at both the Lake Orion and Rochester Qualifiers. Team 7253 earned the Inspire Award at the Rochester Qualifier and advanced to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas, where it earned 2nd Place for the Innovate Award in the Franklin Division.

More Than Just Robots!

Shelby Robotics is a competitive FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics program that brings together students in grades 6–9 from across Utica Community Schools. Our three teams—7252 Vicious Volts, 7253 Raging Robots, and 7254 Voltage Valkyries—provide students with an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a fun, challenging, and supportive environment.

Our students do much more than build robots! Working alongside volunteer coaches and mentors, students learn to design, build, program, and operate sophisticated competition robots. Along the way, they develop real-world skills in mechanical engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), software development, electronics, problem-solving, project management, and communication. We emphasize the engineering design process, encouraging students to brainstorm ideas, build prototypes, test solutions, learn from failures, and continually improve their designs.

Our Season & Commitment

Our competitive season typically begins in September and runs through December. Teams that advance to the Michigan State Championship and beyond may continue competing into the spring.

During the season, we meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:30 PM and Sunday afternoons from 2:00–5:00 PM. Additional practices may be scheduled as competitions approach, and specialized groups such as programming, CAD, mechanical build, and drive teams may meet separately.

Robotics requires dedication and teamwork, but the rewards extend far beyond competition. Students develop confidence, build lasting friendships, discover new interests, and experience the excitement of seeing their ideas come to life.

Beyond the Competition

Community involvement is an important part of Shelby Robotics. Throughout the year, our students participate in outreach activities such as school events, community festivals, parades, robotics demonstrations, visits to senior living communities, and charitable service projects. We also support and mentor younger and rookie robotics teams, helping introduce the next generation of students to STEM and FIRST.

These experiences help our students develop leadership, public speaking, mentoring, and teamwork skills while making a positive impact on their community.

Building Future Leaders

Our mission extends beyond winning competitions. We strive to develop confident, capable, and compassionate young people who are prepared to become tomorrow's engineers, innovators, and leaders.

We embrace the FIRST core values of Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, along with the principles of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition. We encourage our students to compete at their highest level while demonstrating respect, integrity, kindness, and a willingness to help others succeed.

Interested in Joining Shelby Robotics?

No previous robotics experience is necessary! We welcome students who are curious, motivated, and excited to learn. Whether your interests are engineering, programming, design, strategy, or simply trying something new, Shelby Robotics offers opportunities to discover your strengths and be part of a team.

For registration information or questions about our program, contact us at shelbyrobotics@gmail.com.

2026–2027 FTC Season – BIOBUZZ

This year's FIRST Tech Challenge game is called BIOBUZZ, part of the FIRST CANOPY season. Inspired by nature and pollination, teams design, build, and program robots to collect and launch balls called Pollen and Nectar into a scoring structure known as the Hive. Teams earn points by tipping the Hive and placing scoring elements into Flowers around the field.

Learn more about BIOBUZZ Here.

2025–2026 FTC Season – DECODE

The FIRST Tech Challenge game for the 2025–2026 season was called DECODE, part of the FIRST AGE season. Inspired by archaeology and uncovering the mysteries of the past, teams designed, built, and programmed robots to collect and launch purple and green balls called Artifacts into scoring goals. Teams earned additional points by arranging the Artifacts into specific color patterns and returning their robots to a designated base before time ran out.

Learn more about DECODE Here.

2024–2025 FTC Season – INTO THE DEEP

The FIRST Tech Challenge game for the 2024–2025 season was called INTO THE DEEP, part of the FIRST DIVE season. Inspired by ocean exploration, teams designed, built, and programmed robots to collect and score game pieces called Samples and Specimens. Robots earned points by placing Samples into Baskets, hanging Specimens on Chambers, and completing endgame challenges by climbing onto a suspended structure called the Submersible.

Learn more about INTO THE DEEP Here.

2023–2024 FTC Season – CENTERSTAGE

The FIRST Tech Challenge game for the 2023–2024 season was called CENTERSTAGE, part of the FIRST IN SHOW season. Inspired by the performing arts, teams designed, built, and programmed robots to collect and place hexagon-shaped game pieces called Pixels onto a scoring Backdrop. Teams earned additional points by arranging Pixels into mosaics, launching paper airplanes called Drones into designated landing zones, and suspending their robots from a rigging structure at the end of each match.

Learn more about CENTERSTAGE Here.

2022–2023 FTC Season – POWERPLAY

The FIRST Tech Challenge game for the 2022–2023 season was called POWERPLAY, part of the FIRST ENERGIZE season. Inspired by the future of energy, teams designed, built, and programmed robots to collect and stack cone-shaped game pieces onto junctions of varying heights. Teams earned points by placing cones on junctions, creating connected paths called Circuits, and completing endgame challenges by placing Beacons to claim junctions for their alliance.

Learn more about POWERPLAY Here.

2021–2022 FTC Season – FREIGHT FRENZY

The FIRST Tech Challenge game for the 2021–2022 season was called FREIGHT FRENZY, part of the FIRST FORWARD season. Inspired by transportation and logistics, teams designed, built, and programmed robots to collect and deliver game pieces called Freight, including boxes, balls, and rubber ducks. Robots earned points by placing Freight onto Shipping Hubs of varying heights, spinning Carousels to deliver ducks onto the field, and completing endgame challenges by balancing Shipping Hubs and placing special team-designed elements on top.

Learn more about FREIGHT FRENZY Here.

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