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FIRST Robotics Competition coming to Denham Springs High School Saturday

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 7:53 GMT by WAFB
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Denham Springs High School Kicks Off First Robotics Competition Saturday

Denham Springs, La. – On Saturday, September 14, 2025, Denham Springs High School will host the district’s inaugural robotics competition, a milestone event that promises to ignite the STEM ambitions of students and the local community alike. The school’s newly renovated robotics lab will transform into a buzzing arena as teams from around the region gather to build, program, and pit autonomous machines against one another in a weekend full of innovation, teamwork, and a dash of friendly rivalry.

The Big Day

The competition kicks off at 9 a.m. in the school’s Robotics and Engineering Lab, a state‑of‑the‑art facility that was completed just last year as part of the district’s $12 million STEM expansion. The venue is open to the public, with ample parking available in the school’s athletic complex. After the opening ceremony, students will have a full day of “Build & Code” followed by competitive rounds, culminating in awards for the “Most Innovative Design,” “Best Team Spirit,” and the coveted “Robotics Championship” trophy.

According to the event schedule posted on the school’s website, the day will be divided into the following blocks:

The event is organized in partnership with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit that hosts the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) every year. According to FIRST’s own website (https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc), the competition invites high‑school teams to design, build, and program robots that perform a series of autonomous tasks in a set environment. Teams are judged on design ingenuity, teamwork, and performance on the field.

Teams and Participants

A total of 12 teams from local high schools and middle schools have registered for the event, including the Denham Springs Robotics Club (DSRC), West Felicity High School’s “Wolves,” Lakeview Academy’s “Lightning,” and the newly formed Southeast STEM Alliance that brings together students from across the district.

“We’re thrilled to bring this level of competition to Denham Springs,” said DSRC coach Jason Martinez. “Not only does it give our students a chance to showcase their skills, but it also lets them learn from their peers and see how robotics can be applied in real‑world scenarios.”

Many of the students are returning to the competition after last year’s “Tech‑Trek” workshop, which was held as a pilot program in the school’s makerspace. That workshop, funded by the Louisiana Department of Education’s STEM initiative, gave students a taste of the engineering process—from ideation to prototyping—before diving into a full‑scale competition.

Community Support and Sponsorship

Local businesses and organizations have stepped up to support the event. ABC Manufacturing, a regional engineering firm, is providing mentorship for the “Best Mentor” award. Jiffy Lube of Denham Springs has offered tire sponsorship for the competition’s “Speed Run” category, while the Denham Springs Rotary Club is funding the “Most Sustainable Design” award.

The event also features a small exhibition where students display projects from the school’s annual Science Fair, giving parents and community members a preview of the talent on display.

How to Join

Students who are interested in competing but haven’t yet joined a team can sign up by September 3 through the school’s robotics registration portal (https://www.dshs.org/robotics/registration). Teams must be composed of at least five students, and all participants must be enrolled in the Denham Springs School District. The registration fee of $25 covers entry into the competition, access to the lab, and a set of tools.

Parents are encouraged to volunteer as “Team Captains” or “Support Staff,” helping to supervise and guide the teams during the build and competition phases. For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed live on the district’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/dshs) to ensure everyone can witness the excitement.

A Vision for the Future

Principal Dr. Karen Whitfield, who has been at the helm of the district since 2018, sees the competition as a stepping stone toward a broader STEM agenda. “Our goal is to create a pipeline that takes students from basic robotics concepts in middle school to advanced engineering projects in high school,” she explained. “By hosting events like this, we’re not only preparing them for college and careers in STEM but also fostering critical thinking, problem‑solving, and collaborative skills that benefit the entire community.”

The event is the first of its kind in the Bossier Parish region, and district officials are hopeful that it will inspire other schools to follow suit. The district has already secured a $500,000 grant from the Louisiana Association of Science and Technology to expand the robotics program over the next three years.

Wrap‑Up

With a well‑coordinated schedule, enthusiastic student participation, and robust community backing, the Denham Springs robotics competition is poised to be a highlight of the school year. The event not only celebrates the ingenuity of young engineers but also cements Denham Springs’ reputation as a hub for STEM excellence in Louisiana.

For more information, visit the school’s robotics page at https://www.dshs.org/robotics, or contact the school office at (318) 555‑1234. The competition promises to be a day of learning, laughter, and a few spectacular robot stunts—be sure to tune in or, better yet, attend in person.