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We are the MantaBots, a second-year robotics team competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), proudly representing the French-American School of New York (FASNY). As a team of passionate and driven students, we are excited to explore the ever-evolving world of robotics while inspiring our community to develop a deeper appreciation for technology and innovation.

Our journey began in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), where we built a strong foundation in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative engineering. Transitioning from FLL to FTC marked an exciting new chapter for us. FTC challenges us to design, build, and program more advanced robots, pushing us to think critically, manage complex projects, and apply real-world engineering principles. This shift has allowed us to grow not only as builders and programmers but also as leaders and collaborators.

At MantaBots, we believe that hands-on learning is the most powerful way to understand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Every design session, prototype test, and programming breakthrough strengthens our technical skills while teaching us resilience and adaptability. We embrace challenges as opportunities to innovate, iterate, and improve. From brainstorming creative design solutions to refining our robot for competition performance, we approach each step with curiosity and determination.

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. As a team, we value communication, respect, and shared responsibility. Each member contributes unique strengths—whether in mechanical design, coding, strategy, outreach, or organization—allowing us to function as a cohesive and supportive unit. Through teamwork, we learn not only how to build better robots but also how to support and inspire one another.

Beyond competitions, we are committed to giving back to our community. We actively mentor younger students, especially those participating in FLL, helping them discover the excitement of robotics and STEM. By sharing our experiences and guiding them through their own projects, we aim to foster confidence, creativity, and a love of learning. We believe that inspiring the next generation of innovators is just as important as building a successful robot.

As we continue to grow in FTC, our goals extend beyond winning matches. We strive to develop leadership skills, technical expertise, and a mindset of innovation that will prepare us for future academic and professional pursuits. Through robotics, we are not only building machines—we are building problem-solvers, thinkers, and changemakers.

The MantaBots are proud to represent FASNY and to be part of a global community that values innovation, teamwork, and gracious professionalism. We look forward to continuing our journey, tackling new challenges, and making a meaningful impact through robotics and STEM.