Join Team 7657 Thunderbots: Build, Innovate, and Lead Your Future!
Experience the excitement of robotics, teamwork, and real-world engineering at New Tech Institute.
What is FIRST Robotics Competition?
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) challenges high school students to design, build, and program industrial-size robots under real-world constraints. It’s as close to professional engineering as a student can get.
“Robotics isn’t just about building robots, it’s about making friends along the way”
Why Join the Thunderbots?
-
![]()
Hands-On Learning
Design, build, and program robots while learning CAD, coding, and electrical skills.
-
![]()
Real-World Values
Grow through passion, adaptability, reliability, and teamwork. Compete with kindness and respect.
-
![]()
Student Leadership
Take on roles like CEO, CTO, Lead Programmer, Safety Captain, or join strategy committees.
-
![]()
Competitions & Impact
Travel to events, represent NTI, and give back through community outreach.
Deep Dive
-
Every January, FIRST releases a brand-new game challenge. From that moment, Team 7657 has just a few weeks to design, build, and program a competition-ready robot weighing up to 125 pounds.
Brainstorm & Design: Students sketch strategies and create models in CAD software.
Mechanical Build: Cut, drill, and assemble the robot with real tools.
Electrical Systems: Wire motors, sensors, and control units.
Programming & Automation: Use Java and WPILib for driving, autonomous routines, and vision processing.
Testing & Iteration: Debug, adapt, and improve until it’s competition ready.
-
Robotics isn’t only about the machine—every student can contribute.
• Marketing & PR: Build the team’s brand, design graphics, and manage social media.
• Finance & Fundraising: Work with sponsors and help sustain the team.
• Media & Storytelling: Photograph competitions, edit videos, and capture the team’s journey.
• Scouting & Strategy: Collect data on other teams to plan winning match strategies.
• Administration & IT: Organize logistics, documents, and technical systems.
These roles are essential to making the Thunderbots a complete, competition-ready team.
-
Live by passion, adaptability, reliability, teamwork.
-
Competition season is where the work pays off.
• High-Energy Events: Hundreds of students, music, lights, and robots in action.
• District Events: In 2025, the Thunderbots will competed at Lafayette and Washington, Indiana.
• Championship Goals: Teams advance to the Indiana State Championship and potentially the FIRST Championship in Houston, TX..
• Travel Together: Team funds cover hotels, transportation, and meals, giving students a professional travel-team experience.
The excitement is unmatched—cheering in the stands, driving the robot, and working together under pressure.
-
The Thunderbots believe robotics is about impact beyond the field.
• Mentorship: Guide younger students in FIRST LEGO League.
• Local Events: Participate in STEM Fest, WNIN Kids Fest, EV for EVV, and Thunderbolts hockey STEM nights.
• Public Demonstrations: Show off the robot at schools and community centers.
• Spreading STEM: Inspire younger kids and parents to see technology as exciting and accessible.
These activities strengthen both our community and our team culture.
-
Earn scholarships, network with employers, and build your career path.
FIRST robotics is rewarding!
