The Academies of Loudoun’s (ACL) FIRST Robotics Competition Team, RoboLoCo, is advancing to the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship after earning the 2025 FIRST Impact Award at the Chesapeake District event in Pasadena, Maryland, on March 9.
The FIRST Impact Award is the highest honor in the competition, recognizing the team that best represents a model for others and embodies the mission of FIRST. It celebrates teams that inspire respect for science and technology while encouraging youth to pursue careers in STEM.
RoboLoCo was recognized for its commitment to STEM literacy through various outreach initiatives. The team has led robotics demonstrations at elementary schools, Stone Springs Hospital, and ECHO; hosted workshops in partnership with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE Jr.) and PROPEL summer camp; and authored two STEM-focused children’s books with Spanish translations. These books have been shared during STEM-themed book parties at local libraries in collaboration with the Loudoun Literacy Council and LCPS Head Start and STEP programs.
During the competition, RoboLoCo competed against 36 teams from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in a series of 3 vs. 3 alliance matches. The team ranked sixth with a 10-6 record and captained the fourth-seed alliance, advancing to the semifinals in tournament playoffs.
With this success, RoboLoCo moves on to the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship at ShowPlace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, from April 3-6.
The team consists of 67 students from 13 Loudoun County high schools, supported by nine community mentors and four coaches. RoboLoCo competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), the highest level of FIRST events, where teams design, build and program robots to tackle complex challenges.
FIRST, a nonprofit organization, releases a new game each year, giving teams nine weeks to build and refine a robot for competition. The organization’s mission is to inspire young people to become leaders in science and technology through hands-on problem-solving, creativity and teamwork.
For more information about FIRST and FRC, visit the First Inspires website.