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ORTOP

The Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program (ORTOP) inspires K-12 students in communities across the state. ORTOP implements the full continuum of FIRST programs, a model with proven impact. We work with teachers and volunteers to run robotics tournaments, provide financial support to underserved and marginalized communities, and create curriculum options for teachers and school systems.

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FIRST

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

FIRST LEGO League

FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) guides youth through STEM learning and exploration at an early age. From Discover, to Explore, and then to Challenge, students will understand the basics of STEM and apply their skills in an exciting competition while building habits of learning, confidence, and teamwork skills along the way. 

While FLL is both in Elementary & Middle School, LO Robotics primarily supports the Middle School level teams. For more information, see below.

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FIRST Tech Challenge

In FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), students learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.

FTC is typically open to high schoolers, but students in Grades 7-12 can apply. Teams consist of up to 15 students. 

FIRST Robotics Competition

Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is open to Grades 9-12, with no limits to team sizes.

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About LO Robotics

Lake Oswego Robotics is a non-profit, volunteer led organization that sponsors extra-curricular activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students in Lake Oswego. Our main activity is organizing robotics teams that participate in FIRST, a global  community focused on innovation, teamwork and competition.  We strive to offer a safe and inclusive environment that fosters life skills like collaboration, self-confidence, communication, and leadership. 

Board Members

  • Jim Williams (President) 
  • Deanne Crone Knipple (Secretary)
  • Qin Lian (Treasurer)
  • Manjiri McCoy (Vice President)
  • John Kirk
  • Wan-Shu Lu
  • Bob Heymann
  • Chris Freitag
  • Gabriel Nickerson (Student Rep)
  • Aidan Kwapisz (Student Rep)

What We Do

  • Manage communications between teams and the school, including managing facilities 

  • Helps with commutations between teams, especially with finances

  • Manage and run outreach for FLL, including summer camps and outreach into elementary schools

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