Chop Shop 166's alliance partner CHAOS, a team from Manchester, shoots fuel balls that are actually yellow game pieces during one of the rounds of matches at the weekend playoffs. Courtesy photo

BEDFORD – The Merrimack High School FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Team — Chop Shop 166 — competed on March 14-15 at a Granite State District event hosted at Bedford High School.

The team took home a prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award, in addition to a Third Place ranking honor overall among 32 teams from New England.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way Chop Shop showed up and competed this weekend,” said Ian MacGregor, Chop Shop mentor. “The students dealt with a variety of ups and downs and won a Third Place overall finish — that’s Bronze if you’re at the Olympics.”

Well credited for consolidating their efforts and expertise with Chop Shop 166 in an alliance of three mandated teams was Team 131 (CHOAS from Manchester) and Team 348, (Norwell Robotics from Norwell, Mass.).

Participants contended with adversity throughout the playoffs. They masterfully replaced some crucial parts of their robot, including multiple motors and wheels, in repair sessions quickly accomplished between matches.

Chop Shop 166 teammates take in yellow game balls that represent balls of fuel in preparation of scoring during a district competition that drew young men and women from throughout New England. Courtesy photo

Along with winning Third Place overall, Chop Shop 166 won the Engineering Inspiration Award, one recognizing outstanding success in exhibiting respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school, or non-school organization, and within the community.

“Being recognized with the Engineering Inspiration Award was the cherry on top of this weekend,” said Katie, team outreach lead. “It serves as a reminder that even if you are from a small town, or you are a part of a small team, you can still make a big difference.”

Chop Shop 166 won Engineering Inspiration for the STEAM Outreach in Merrimack and Milford. One of the attractions is a LEGO Summer Camp for ages 8-12 to teach them how to build and code LEGO Spike Prime robots.

Another popular program of these events is a quarterly Bridge to STEAM series for students aged 6-10, one that encompasses a special guest and a fun topic to educate the enthusiastic on using the scientific method. These methods, along with a multitude of demos, allowed the team to win the award.

“Seeing them recognized with the Engineering Inspiration Award was the real highlight for me,” added MacGregor. “That award isn’t just about the robot — it’s about the culture of leadership and community impact this team has built.”

The Chop Shop 166 competition robot, "Scorpion," one built at Merrimack High School, shoots yellow game balls that represent balls of fuel into a collection target hub. Courtesy photo

Robotics competition season continues at the University of Vermont in clashes slated for April 2-4.

Chop Shop 166, formed in 1995, is celebrating its 32nd season with FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — a renowned organization founded in 1989 to promote skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

More information on the Merrimack robotics team can be found online at Chop Shop 166.

To donate or to become a sponsor of the Merrimack FIRST Robotics Team Chop Shop 166, visit chopshop166.com/sponsor.

The Chop Shop 166 Robotics Team from Merrimack High School celebrates the win of their Engineering Inspiration Award, an honor secured at a recent district competition among 32 robotics teams from New England. Courtesy photo