Becker’s First Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 4607 is gearing up for another challenging season of problem solving, with the team having high hopes of defending their State Championship from last May.

“I’m amazed how every year we find new students who step up and take on new roles and challenges,” Coach Alex Jurek says. “We have great leadership in place across all of our departments, so we should enjoy some success once again.”

Entering its 11th year, the program will be looking to build upon its past success, which includes two MSHSL State Championships, as well as six trips to the World Championships.

Jurek says there are 36 kids out for the team this year, and they will again be divided into the squads that tackle different parts of the competition, including computer programming, building the robot, game strategy and competition, marketing and business partnerships and team outreach.

The team has been training for the past four months, including again hosting their early December JumpStart program, which has grown into the largest Robotics training event in the United States.

This year’s season will kick off on January 7, as the team will host a total of 30 teams for the kickoff event. This is the day that FIRST Robotics announces the 2023 competition program, as well as the specifications for the robot and game strategy.

Jurek says this year’s competition season will consist of participating in two Regional events: the Great Northern in Grand Forks, ND, as well as the Seven Rivers in Lacrosse, WI.

“These are the two most difficult regionals in the Midwest,” Jurek says. “In Wisconsin alone, there will be three different World Championship teams competing.”

In the coming months, the team is looking forward to hosting its 12th Girl Scout troop for what has been determined Operation Caramel Delight.

“This was the 12th group that we have worked with and we are proud to partner with the scouts to help them learn about STEM so they can earn their Robotics badge,” Jurek says. “It’s just one of the many ways we partner with community organizations to help prepare students for what comes after high school.”

Jurek says the team will announce its full list of sponsors after the new year, but they are always looking for additional business partners or owners who are looking to provide additional experiences for the robotics students.

“Our sponsors have been incredible in helping us to achieve such a high level of success,” Jurek says. “In return, we believe that we help them with identifying possible workers for the future and in strengthening their ties within the community.”