Robotics

Early exposure to hands-on learning and STEM education is one of the best ways to engage students and ultimately set them on a long-term path for success in college and a career of their choice. Robotics programming allows students to receive exposure to real-life problem solving in a competitive, fun environment.

UIL activities exist to complement academic curriculum and are designed to motivate students as they acquire higher levels of knowledge, to challenge students to confront issues of importance, and to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of specific skills. The robotics pilot program is believed to do exactly that.

About UIL Robotics

UIL Robotics began as a pilot program began during the 2015-2016 school year. After three successful years as a pilot program, Robotics is an official UIL contest beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The program has two divisions, UIL Robotics: BEST™ Division and UIL Robotics: FIRST^® Division. The FIRST Division includes two competition programs, the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC).

How to Participate

UIL Robotics operates in collaboration with the BEST and FIRST Robotics organizations. For your school to participate in UIL Robotics, register a team with one of these organizations. Participate in the regular FIRST or BEST competition season, with qualifier meets that are run by those organizations. Your team's performance in those qualifiers will determine advancement to the UIL state championships. Teams will be invited to participate in the UIL state championship event based on their scores in those qualifier meets.