Community and STEM Outreach

Outreaching to our community in order to inspire and spread Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is very important to us. Whether it is bringing our robot to events, or participating in engineering challengers or hosting FLL competitions.

FLL Qualifier Tournament

 Since 2011 we have held our annual FLL Qualifier. About 25 teams compete every year and with invited family, friends, and press, typically over 500 people attend the event at our school. We host and run the entire competition, plus referee, judge and MC all activities. Each IgKnighter hosts a team throughout the day and the FLL kids tell us that’s one of the best things about it, getting to talk to real robot builders! We hold a Q&A where kids ask questions and we demonstrate our robot. It’s easy to see the awe in the kids’ eyes as they watch our robot. The FLL Tournament is another pillar in our House of Change.

Let’s Solve Water

In 2012, with our sponsor Xylem, we created the Let’s Solve Water engineering challenge. A free to enter competitive challenge, students have 3 weeks to solve a water related engineering problem that could be applied to real-world water supply issues and compete with their devices for $1000 cash awards. Winning designs have been used to help in 3rd world countries to solve actual water problems. This season, using recycled materials, teams designed water pumps to rapidly fill water balloons and play cornhole. Talk about fun! Together with our sponsors, over $34,000 has been awarded since the competition’s inception, impacting our community by drawing in new teams to compete in the spirit of FIRST.

STEM Camps at McQuaid

Our team and our school worked to start 4 STEM summer camps and 2 STEM winter camps as of 2019. Kids from 4th-10th grade packed all 6 STEM camps, with most kids attending not being from our school. With almost double the expected attendance at the camps with 50+ students from 12 different schools!

Community Robot Demos

We have brought our robot and demonstrated it to children of all ages and pretty much anywhere. This includes

• School 19’s Science Fair

• Rochester Museum and Science Center

• Seneca Park Zoo

• New York State Fair

• Rochester Red Wings

• Mary’s Place Refugee Program

If you would like us to come to your event or fundraiser please contact us here!

Volunteer Outreach Activities

• Brighton Food Cupboard team volunteering day

• St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality Food Drive

In total, IgKnighters have volunteered over 4000+ hours of assorted community service!