Local Robotics Team Wins Think Award, Captures Regional Championship

A robotics team representing McKinley County celebrated a major achievement in late November when it won the Think Award and helped secure the top spot in match play at the Rock with Wings Shiprock Qualifier. The event, a regional competition for the FIRST Tech Challenge program in the Four Corners region, was completed on November 22, 2025. Judges awarded the team the Think Award for its documented use of the engineering design process and for meaningful community outreach, while alliance play with Newcomb High School produced the Winning Alliance in the match rounds.

The Think Award recognizes teams that prioritize iterative problem solving and clear technical documentation, along with outreach that builds connections beyond the robotics field. For McKinley County, where access to hands on STEM opportunities can be limited by geography and resources, the recognition represents more than a trophy. It signals that local students are gaining practical engineering skills, collaboration experience, and public engagement capacity that translate into future career and educational options.

Organizers and educators say programs like FIRST Tech Challenge provide structured pathways for youth to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and project management. These skills have implications for public health and community wellbeing. Participation promotes social connectedness and positive identity formation, which can reduce isolation and support mental health among adolescents. The outreach component of the award also strengthens ties between schools and families, increasing community trust in educational institutions and expanding local networks of support.

The alliance victory with Newcomb High School underscores regional collaboration and shared investment in student success. Local leaders and school staff can leverage this momentum to advocate for expanded STEM resources, including after school programs, teacher training, and investment in facilities. Such investments are also investments in health equity, because they broaden the range of safe, constructive opportunities for young people across McKinley County.

This win is a point of local pride and a practical example of how extracurricular programs contribute to social and economic resilience. As students return to their classrooms and shops, the skills and connections forged at the Shiprock qualifier will inform future projects and community initiatives.