Five ORMS robotics teams make it to the 2026 state championships

Five robotics teams from Oyster River Middle School have qualified for the 2026 New Hampshire Vermont State Championships after excelling at a regional competition where students showcased teamwork technical skill and creativity in engineering and programming challenges.

Five robotics teams from Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) have earned qualification for the 2026 New Hampshire/Vermont State Championships following a competitive regional event. The competition, held at ORMS on December 13, involved seventy-two teams from the surrounding region, challenging students to demonstrate technical skill, strategic planning, and teamwork.

Teams That Qualified

• A Torrent of Motion
• The Summit of the Hierarchy
• Shadowslick Syndicate
• A Bronze Echo of Triumph
• We Dont Know
• Robodawgs

The Robodawgs team achieved tenth place overall and received the Design Award, which recognizes outstanding organizational processes, collaboration, and innovation. Their preparation emphasized structured teamwork and careful engineering practices, highlighting both creativity and technical precision.

Coaching and Mentorship

Mentor Jade Terrill guided the ORMS robotics teams in developing their skills, supported by STEM educators Jay Derick and Jason Duff. Terrill emphasized the value of problem-solving, coding, and collaborative project development, noting the students' perseverance and dedication. Teams worked to integrate mechanical design with programming strategies to meet the demands of the VEX IQ Robotics Competition.

Competition Overview

The VEX IQ Robotics Competition engages elementary and middle school students in building and programming robots to complete progressively complex engineering challenges. Participants are evaluated on creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skill, with the event designed to encourage innovative thinking and practical application of STEM principles.

Community Support

Superintendent Robert Shaps acknowledged the students accomplishments, highlighting the importance of creativity, problem-solving, and collaborative innovation in modern education. He commended the coaching staff for their guidance and the students for demonstrating leadership and technical expertise in robotics competitions.

Next Steps

The five ORMS teams that qualified will compete at the 2026 NH/VT VEX IQ State Championships, scheduled for February at Manchester Community College. Preparations continue as teams refine their robots and strategies, aiming to achieve success at the state level.

Sources:

• Five ORMS Robotics Teams Qualify for State Championships
• ORMS Robotics Students Successful at State Championships
• VEX IQ Robotics Competition : New Hampshire/Vermont Event Info
• Five ORMS robotics teams qualify for 2026 state championships

Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell is an experienced reporter with 10 years covering international news. He specializes in politics and economics, with strong investigative journalism and analytical writing skills.