Bionic Black Hawks Host Season Kickoff Event for Middle School Robotics Teams

On Saturday, September 6, the Bionic Black Hawks robotics team at Bloomfield Hills High School welcomed 21 middle school robotics teams from across the Detroit area for a highly-anticipated season kickoff event. The day included workshops, collaborative learning opportunities, and a shared viewing of the official reveal of this season’s robotics challenge. 

Middle school robotics students in grades 6-8 across Michigan participate in FIRSTⓇ Tech Challenge, a year-round program that combines engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. While teams begin preparing over the summer, the heart of the season starts in early September when the official game - or robot challenge - is unveiled worldwide via an online video. This moment reveals all the essential details, from the game board and scoring tasks to the robot size limits and competition rules.

The kickoff event at BHHS, however, was more than just watching the reveal video. The day kicked off with workshops led by high school team members, who mentored younger students on important skills and tools. Grant Moyer (grade 11), a Bionic Black Hawks captain, led a workshop about strategy. “When I was in middle school starting my first year of FTC,” Moyer recalled, “these presentations really helped give me a foundation of robotics knowledge so I was better prepared for the season, and I want to help give that to other kids that are coming into FTC.”

Attendees included teams from South Hills and North Hills Middle Schools, as well as middle school teams from Troy, Grosse Pointe, and Sterling Heights. Collaboration is a core value of FIRSTⓇ robotics; during competitions, opposing teams can earn extra points by working together on certain tasks. This collaboration and sense of community was clear at the kickoff event, as teams from different schools learned alongside one another and exchanged ideas.

At noon sharp, attendees gathered in the auditorium to watch the official game reveal video. Thanks to adult volunteers who constructed the game board in advance (under strict confidentiality agreements), students had the opportunity to examine it up close, take measurements, and begin strategizing. SHMS student, Deven Mehta (grade 7), said the best part of the day was watching the game reveal. Reflecting on his team’s mood afterward, Mehta said it was all about “strategizing what we should do to get the most points.”

This event set an inspiring tone for the season ahead, fueling excitement and teamwork among the next generation of innovators. Thank you to the Bionic Black Hawks for hosting, and best of luck to all the FTC teams this season!