Dubuque, Iowa — In a significant achievement for young innovators from Iowa, the Royal Robots robotics team from Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School has earned a spot at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Michiana Premier Event in South Bend, Indiana. The competition, scheduled for June 18–21, 2026, at the Century Center, will bring together 96 top teams from across the United States and around the globe.

This qualification marks another milestone for the Royal Robots and their sister team, the Robo Raptors. Earlier this year, both teams made history by becoming the first from Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School to qualify for the Iowa FTC Championship, held in late February in Coralville. The dual qualification highlighted the dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit fostered within the school’s robotics program.

What is FIRST Tech Challenge?

FIRST Tech Challenge is a global robotics program for middle and high school students that emphasizes engineering, problem-solving, teamwork, and gracious professionalism. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in challenging “robot games” while also developing business plans, conducting community outreach, and presenting their engineering design process to judges. The program, part of the broader FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization, aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders.

Participants learn far more than technical skills. They develop resilience through iterative design and troubleshooting, practice effective communication, and build lasting friendships across teams. The Michiana Premier Event stands out as one of the largest and most exciting premier-level competitions in North America, featuring intense robot matches, an Olympic-style opening ceremony, evening social events like video game tournaments and ice cream socials, and comprehensive judging sessions.

The Royal Robots’ Journey

The Royal Robots have demonstrated exceptional growth this season. Their success at the Iowa Championship built on months of hard work in the workshop—designing robot mechanisms, coding autonomous routines, refining driver skills, and preparing detailed engineering notebooks and presentations. Coach Missy Sendt and the team’s mentors have emphasized not just competition performance but the development of well-rounded individuals who value kindness, perseverance, and community impact.

The photo accompanying this article captures a proud moment from earlier in the year when the team secured their Iowa Championship qualification. It serves as a visual reminder of the excitement and effort invested long before the journey to Indiana.

Located in Dubuque, Iowa, Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School’s robotics program benefits from strong community support through Dubuque Robotics initiatives. These efforts extend beyond the school, including outreach projects that introduce younger students to STEM concepts and promote engineering as an accessible and exciting field.

Looking Ahead to South Bend

At the Michiana Premier Event, the Royal Robots will face formidable competition from elite teams hailing from 30 U.S. states and multiple international locations. The multi-day format includes qualifying matches, alliance selections, playoff rounds, and extensive judging that evaluates not only robot performance but also innovation, teamwork, and the “Connect” pillar of outreach and inspiration.

For the students, this experience represents far more than a single tournament. It offers opportunities to network with peers from diverse backgrounds, observe advanced engineering solutions, and celebrate the shared passion for robotics. Many participants describe these high-level events as transformative, reinforcing their interest in STEM careers and building confidence that extends well beyond the competition floor.

Best Wishes and Community Pride

The entire Dubuque community joins in congratulating the Royal Robots on this impressive accomplishment. As they head to South Bend, these talented middle schoolers will showcase the results of countless hours of dedication, creativity, and collaboration.

Best of luck to the Royal Robots! May your robots perform flawlessly, your strategies shine, and your team create memories that last a lifetime. The future of innovation looks bright with students like these leading the way. 🤖⚙️🎉

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