MACON, Ga. — Mercer University recently hosted 45 robotics teams from across Georgia for the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition Peachtree District Championship, where high school students competed for 12 coveted slots to represent the state at the World Championship in Houston.

Students from Middle Georgia’s FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams, supported by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), were also on hand to showcase their skills. Representatives from the 21st Century Partnership, a Georgia AIM partner, offered VIP tours to community leaders and investors, providing a firsthand look at what it means to be a robotics student.

These behind-the-scenes tours gave attendees the opportunity to meet team members, witness the organized chaos in the pit and practice areas, and learn the mechanics of each round of the competition. Throughout the three-day event, students pushed robots made of metal, motors and wiring through Mercer’s Hawkins Arena. Teams lined up in matching T-shirts and safety goggles, while announcers called out matches over the loudspeaker.

FIRST, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is an international nonprofit that fosters student interest in STEM through robotics competitions for all ages, beginning with small LEGO bots and progressing to full-sized machines that weigh up to 120 pounds. Georgia AIM supports the program in Middle Georgia through the 21st Century Partnership, which provides teacher training and startup funding for robotics kits.

These programs are critical to the region’s workforce pipeline, particularly in support of Robins Air Force Base. The skills students develop through robotics, including collaboration, time management and working under pressure, translate to a wide range of career paths.

This year, after multiple rounds of regional competition, two Middle Georgia teams qualified for the state championship in Macon: Built4Bibb and Houston County’s Flying Legion.

Flying Legion advanced to the District Championship after earning two top honors earlier in the season: the FIRST Robotics Impact Award and the Safety Award. The Impact Award is FIRST’s most prestigious recognition, honoring the team with the most significant, measurable impact on its participants and community over time.

The 2025 season concluded at the World Championship in Houston, where 600 of the top teams from the United States, China, Turkey and Mexico competed. Twelve teams represented Georgia, and four advanced to the playoffs in their divisions:

• Team BEAN, Cumming

• The Commodores, Albany

• Techno Titans, Johns Creek

• North Gwinnett Robotics, Suwanee

North Gwinnett Robotics won the Innovation in Control Award and the Championship Curie Division, ultimately competing in the final playoff round through Match 12.

Although Built4Bibb and Flying Legion did not advance to the World Championship, both teams are preparing for summer robotics and coding programs through their school districts, the 21st Century Partnership and local colleges. Career academies also play a key role in connecting students to technology careers. In Bibb County, for example, Hutchings College and Career Academy offers courses in cybersecurity, culinary arts and more.

The next robotics season, titled “FIRST AGE,” launches in August. Georgia AIM encourages mentors and volunteers to get involved. (Contact Georgia AIM to learn more.)

“These outlets are critical as students develop their interests and career goals,” said Jamie Cook, a longtime robotics volunteer. “This is making an investment in the supply chain for tomorrow’s technical workforce. That’s why I do it.”

Read a story from the Macon Melody about the District Championship and the Built4Bibb team.