MSA Robotics - The Fighting Calculators

The Fighting Calculators

We are The Fighting Calculators -- more than a robotics team -- we have been leading the way in creating accessible STEAM and leadership experiences through hands-on access to cutting edge robotics and guidance via mentorship

In ou17 years as a team, we've always had one goal: to improve the lives of young people in our community by giving them real-world experience with not only cutting-edge stem concepts, but also to give them an environment to refine other skills critical to the 21st century, like leadership and communication. The young people we impact are at the heart of everything we do, robotics is simply the best way we see to serve them. We participate in the program because it has served as the framework for many of our guiding principles, like the value of hands-on experience, and learning outside of the classroom. We're working on expanding our impact, to reach more, and more diverse students year after year, giving the young people of today the skills they need to be the leaders of the future.

Learn more about FIRST

What we do

Driving STEM's Diversity and 21st-Century Relevance

Promoting Diversity in STEM

We are actively working to create opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM fields. While only 4.7% of professional software developers are women, approximately 54% of our team members are women or gender minorities. Furthermore, we're addressing the lack of diversity in engineering, where only 29% of workers are BIPOC, while around 61% of our team comprises BIPOC individuals.

Teaching Essential 21st Century Skills

In a world where skills like programming, mathematics, and CAD are becoming increasingly crucial, our program stands out. We're filling an educational gap as many schools struggle to keep up. Shockingly, only 20% of high-school students are adequately prepared for college-level STEM coursework, and less than half of US high schools offer computer science classes.

Building Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

We are making a significant impact beyond traditional education settings. Our outreach extends to students who might not have otherwise considered STEM classes, thereby broadening horizons and creating opportunities where they're much needed.

More Than Robots

As a team, we acquire a wide range of skills beyond just coding and building robors. Our learning extends to areas such as management, CAD, business, marketing, and media, to name a few.

"FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect - of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future"
‍
- Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST

Driving STEM's Diversity and 21st-Century Relevance

Ready to support us?