World’s Best: Cinco Ranch High School Advances to Global FIRST Robotics Championship
After months of late nights, weekend build sessions, and tireless problem-solving, robotics students from Katy ISD are making waves on the national stage. Six high school teams—Cinco Ranch, Jordan, Mayde Creek, Paetow, Seven Lakes, and Tompkins—competed in the 2025 UIL State Robotics Competition, showcasing their engineering prowess and collaborative spirit in one of the most demanding student technology challenges in the country.
Among the standout performers was Cinco Ranch High School, which emerged as a division finalist, earning a coveted spot at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship later this month at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center.
“Our students have spent months preparing for this year’s competition, spending time after the school day and on weekends here at the Shaw Center to work on their robots,” said Stephen Adams, facility coordinator at Katy ISD’s Shaw Center for STEAM. “I want to commend all our students, their families and team mentors for their dedication, innovation and creativity. It was inspiring to see them competing among the state’s best.”
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High School Robotics Teams Show Skill and Innovation in State Showdown
This year’s FIRST Robotics Competition, themed "Reefscape", challenged students to design and build complex robots capable of mimicking underwater environmental tasks. Teams engineered machines that could place "coral" on reefs, lift "algae" onto a barge, and even hang from a "shark cage"—all simulated through intricate and fast-paced match play.
The challenge is not just about technical precision; it pushes students to think critically about the role of robotics in ocean conservation, a timely topic in today’s world of environmental urgency.
Due to the volume of schools involved statewide, the UIL Robotics Championship divided teams into two brackets: the Apollo Division and the Mercury Division, named after NASA’s legendary mission programs.
- Cinco Ranch, Jordan, and Tompkins competed in the Mercury Division.
- Mayde Creek, Paetow, and Seven Lakes battled it out in the Apollo Division.
Jordan High School secured recognition as a Mercury Division semi-finalist and was specially honored for creativity in engineering design, a testament to the innovative ideas coming from Katy’s youth.
Members of the Cinco Ranch High School robotics team skillfully operate their custom-built robot during a FIRST Robotics: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators
At the heart of these achievements is FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the international nonprofit organization that runs the competition. Founded in 1989, FIRST has become a global leader in STEM education, engaging hundreds of thousands of students annually through programs like FIRST LEGO® League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition.
Through hands-on, mentor-based programming, FIRST encourages students from kindergarten through high school to explore engineering, coding, and critical thinking—skills that form the backbone of the future workforce. Students gain experience in leadership, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, making competitions like these more than just a showcase of robots—they’re stepping stones to careers in science and technology.
Even elementary schools in Katy ISD are getting involved. This year, Sundown Elementary launched the district’s first-ever FIRST LEGO League team, laying the foundation for younger students to explore robotics and STEM in an accessible and engaging way.
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With the FIRST World Championship returning to Houston, Cinco Ranch students will have a rare opportunity to compete on a global stage—right in their own backyard. For these high schoolers, it’s not just about winning a title; it’s about representing their community, their school district, and the power of collaborative innovation.
As excitement builds, Katy ISD continues to position itself as a hub for robotics education and STEM excellence, thanks to the support of educators, mentors, and facilities like the Shaw Center for STEAM.
For families, educators, and community leaders, the success of these teams underscores the growing importance of STEM in Texas schools, and highlights how robotics competitions prepare students for the real world, far beyond the classroom or competition field.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.