FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages.
Teams, including coaches, mentors, and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
About Greenwood Robotics
Our Mission and History
Greenwood Robotics was founded in the 2014-2015 season, beginning with the vision of junior Michael Tam to bring the benefits of FIRST robotics and a robust STEM program to Greenwood. Under the guidance of founding mentors Chris Campbell, Tammy Vest, and Mark Snodgrass, we started small, working out of the shop classroom at Greenwood Community High School.
Our core mission is to inspire young people in science and technology, fostering essential skills like teamwork, gracious professionalism, and innovative problem-solving. This mission quickly led to expansion, and that first summer, we co-hosted a robotics camp and launched 6th-grade FLL programs at the middle school and at least one elementary program.
Teams, Achievements, and Innovation
Since our founding, our teams—including the Green Machine, the Wired Woodmen (formerly Green Machine Junior, changed in 2017-18), and our newest addition, the Golden Gizmos (Team 32536 in 2025-26)—have consistently demonstrated excellence and innovative design.
Key Achievements:
State-Level Competition: We have a history of success at the State level, with high school teams qualifying multiple times (e.g., in 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19). Our middle school team even made it to the finals in the 2015-16 season.
Dean’s List Recognition: We are proud to cultivate outstanding student leaders:
Rhae Rimer was a Dean’s List Finalist in the 2018-19 season, representing our teams and Indiana at the FTC World Competition in Detroit.
Ishani Shah was a Dean’s List Winner in the 2021-22 season, and was the only girl to represent Indiana at the Houston World Championship.
Media and Design Awards: Our teams have won numerous awards, including the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award, PTC Design Award, Connect Award, and Inspire Award at various qualifiers.
Innovation in Action:
Our students embrace technical challenges, mastering advanced concepts like working with Mecanum wheels on the drive train and developing tools like an April tag scanner. The 2017-18 season, for instance, saw the high school team (8793) use license plates for the robot's shooter design.
Community Engagement and Student Leadership
Greenwood Robotics is dedicated to giving back to the community and developing well-rounded leaders. Our students are active in a diverse range of outreach and service activities:
STEM Outreach:
Hosting annual Robotics Summer Camps and FLL Workshops.
Participating in major events like the Endress + Hauser STEM Night and the STEM Fest at Bankers Life Field House.
Running demos at the Greenwood Public Library and for organizations like the Greenwoods Delta Lambda Tri Kappa Sorority.
Service and Community:
Volunteering at Wheeler Mission (cleaning and serving food).
Organizing events for the local food pantry and a Chihuahua Rescue Volunteering Event.
Hosting "Stuff the Bus" events.
Leadership & Media:
Our students have been featured in the Daily Journal for their articles on the program (Magdalena Hite, Annie Brinker, and Marry Brinker).
Ishani Shah and Jack Thompson appeared on Wish TV in the 2023-24 season to discuss the season.
Student Parina Shah serves as an Emcee and Field Resetter at competitions, works at the Indiana Youth Advisory Board for Mental Awareness, and started a YouTube channel named “Bot Talk” interviewing FTC and FRC teams worldwide.
Our Valued Partners
Our success and ability to expand our program are made possible by the dedicated support of our sponsors. We extend our deepest gratitude to our continuous partners for their generous contributions:
Jackson Systems
Endress + Hauser
Greenwood Education Foundation
Honda
Crosspoint Power and Refrigeration
Clown Pediatrics
Jockomos Pizza
Dunham Rubber and Belting