History of Valley Robotics Program
Why We Started
Prior to the insurrection of Valley Robotics Program, the current board members had been through FIRST programs in their own communities while growing up. For each of them, this has led to mentorship and a desire to improve the quality of robotics education in Arizona. With this sentiment shared with the community, Valley Robotics Program became an IRS-recognized nonprofit on January 9th, 2024. More personal stories related to why we chose to create a STEM-centric nonprofit can be found on the ‘Board Members’ page.
Combat Robotics
With the knowledge that VRP was being set up, the Board to be set up a combat robotics team, STRIKE. Currently, this team is VRP’s Industry Team with five adult members. STRIKE currently participates in the three pound weight class. They are looking to compete the first time this upcoming December.
The intent of the Industry Team is to learn the process for the Arizona combat robotics league and start youth teams mentored by the Industry Team.
FRC Team Support During the 2024 Season
For the 2024 FRC Season, Valley Robotics Program sponsored four FIRST Robotics Competition Teams. The support we provided to teams included mentorship, workspace access, tooling, parts, stock, and design input. The different avenues of support were utilized by each team in different ways. The teams we sponsored for the 2024 season included 698, 6479, 9059, and 9704. We began 10256 in the offseason and competed at offseason competitions.
In 2024, we spent over 1,700 hours working with these teams.
Event Volunteering
Although none of the VRP-Sponsored teams qualified for the 2024 World Championship, VRP travelled to Houston, Texas to volunteer at the event. The jobs that VRP worked on while at the event consisted mostly of practice field management. During the off-season, VRP volunteered at the first two Arizona Robotics League Qualifiers as Referees and Robot Inspectors.
Off-Season Training
Spanning from June 4th to August 10th, VRP ran their first Off-Season Training Program. This training program included 20 two-hour sessions where over 30 presentations and activities were shared with students on VRP-sponsored teams. Each Saturday, a four-hour office hour-like meeting was hosted where students could go through any previous presentation or ask questions. After each training session the presentations and/or activities would be posted. Students use these presentations not only to review for their own knowledge, but as a reference guide for their own team’s training. To improve the Training Program in the future, each session was concluded with a feedback form which VRP will use to better each activity.
Rookie Support
Outside of Team Scrap Metal, Valley Robotics Program supports other local rookie teams. In the fall, VRP agreed to act as FRC team #10491 Smarticle Particles’ parent nonprofit, gaining them access to more grants. VRP also assisted FRC team #10506, Crash Test Dummies, in setting up their nonprofit by creating and giving them a step-by-step guide.
FRC Team Support During the 2025 Season
For the 2025 FRC Season, Valley Robotics Program sponsored six FIRST Robotics Competition Teams. While maintaining previous support avenues, 2025 included transportation as well. The teams we sponsored for the 2025 season included 698, 6479, 9059, 9704, 10256, and 10491.
At the 2025 Kickoff Workshop, we presented three different presentations on the topics of electronics and programming, which can be found on our Resources/Presentations page.
Although not sponsored by VRP, FRC team #9777, Knights of the Lab Table, were invited to use our space prior to their second regional for “emergency practice”. With limited space at their school, we are excited for visits from them at our workshop in the future.
In 2025, we have spent over 1,200 hours working with teams and counting.