Lake Oswego Robotics Teams Dominate Oregon FIRST Tech Challenge State Championships

Lake Oswego, OR – March 4, 2026 – Four robotics teams from Lake Oswego School District showcased exceptional talent and innovation at the Oregon FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) State Championships, held February 28th and 29th at Liberty High School in Hillsboro. All four teams earned prestigious awards, marking a successful culmination of the season for the district’s robotics programs.

FIRST Tech Challenge: Fostering STEM Skills

The FIRST Tech Challenge is a high school robotics competition organized by FIRST, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. FTC teams design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in head-to-head challenges. The competition utilizes smaller, rover-like robots compared to the larger machines used in the FIRST Robotics Challenge, and emphasizes teamwork and collaboration.

Lake Oswego Teams Recognized for Excellence

Proxima Nova (Team 25631) led the charge, securing first place in the Innovate Award and earning the title of winning alliance captain. The Innovate Award recognizes teams demonstrating the most innovative and creative robot design solutions for the year’s competition game. Proxima Nova has been competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge for two seasons, beginning in 2024, and has quickly established itself as a competitive force. View their event history.

Mostly Operational (Team 18119) was awarded first place in the Reach Award, acknowledging their efforts in recruiting modern members and expanding participation in robotics. Learn more about Team 18119. Wire Fire earned second place for the Reach Award, demonstrating a strong commitment to community outreach and team growth.

All Hands on Tech received first place for the Design Award, which celebrates teams that seamlessly integrate functional and aesthetic design elements into their robot solutions.

Beyond the Competition: Outreach and Design Presentations

The FTC State Championships extend beyond the robot competition itself. Students also present their outreach projects and detailed robot designs to a panel of judges, earning awards for both on-field performance and presentation quality. This holistic evaluation emphasizes the importance of communication, teamwork, and community engagement alongside technical skills.

Lake Oswego Robotics: A Thriving STEM Community

Lake Oswego Robotics, a non-profit, volunteer organization, sponsors robotics teams within the Lake Oswego School District. Currently, the organization supports over 120 students across multiple teams, including All Hands on Tech, Proxima Nova, and FRC 2635 Lake Monsters. Learn more about Lake Oswego Robotics. Since 2019, Lake Oswego robotics teams have earned over 100 awards and participated in over 11 world and invitational events.

Upcoming Events

Looking ahead, Lake Oswego Robotics teams are preparing for the following events:

• February 7th, 2026 – Rose City and Iron Mountain League Qualifiers
• April 5th, 2026 – Summer Camp Registration Opens