A strong season has turned into a costly opportunity for a Corning-based robotics program, where four student teams are now headed to high-level competitions across North America and beyond — and turning to the community for help getting there.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in March is aiming to raise $25,000 to cover travel, lodging, meals, and competition expenses for 55 students, along with their coaches and chaperones, as they prepare for a series of post-season events.
The fundraiser, organized by Mike Simons through a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, has raised more than $2,600 so far from 19 donors, about 11% of its overall goal.
The funding will be split among four teams advancing to major competitions. A middle school FIRST LEGO League team, Children of Apollo, is set to compete at the American Robotics Invitational in New Jersey. Three high school FIRST Tech Challenge teams will also represent the region: Enderbots will travel to a premier event in Massachusetts, GorillaBots will compete in an international event in Toronto, and Team TARDIS is headed to the FIRST World Championship in Houston — its second appearance in three years.
Organizers say the program’s success has created a financial challenge, as more teams qualify for post-season play. The Corning Robotics program includes 14 teams across multiple grade levels and has built a track record of strong performance in upstate New York.
Beyond competition, program leaders point to the group’s broader impact. High school team members logged more than 1,800 hours of STEM outreach and community service over the past year, reaching more than 2,200 students through education and engagement efforts.
Supporters say contributions will help offset costs for transportation, accommodations, meals, and essential materials needed during competitions, including apparel and printed resources.
While organizers say they are reluctant to ask for financial support, they emphasized the role of community backing in sustaining the program’s growth and giving students the opportunity to compete on larger stages.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].