12th Annual Rock River Robotics Off-Season Competition completes another season

Event hosted 33 Midwest teams while giving back locally

    The Rock River Robotics Off-season Competition (R2OC) held their 12th annual R2OC on July 27 at the Rock Valley College PE Center. A premier STEM event produced by volunteers and generously supported by titanium sponsors Collins Aerospace, PCI Pharma Services and Woodward, R2OC featured some of the Rockford region’s and Midwest’s most talented youth who designed, built, programed and operated robots that competed on a custom field of play.

    A co-production of the Flaming Monkeys Robotics (of Belvidere), Rockford Robotics, Stateline Robotics (of Rockton), and Winnovation (of Winnebago and Pecatonica), this year’s R2OC featured 33 teams from five states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The free event lasted all day.

    “On behalf of the R2OC Committee, we’re thrilled to again help area high school students showcase their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by designing, building and programming robots in a competitive format,” said Karen Hill, R2OC co-chair and lead mentor for Winnovation.

“This program has long helped students develop the necessary skills to succeed in high school, college and beyond!”

    Founded in 2012, R2OC (501(c)(3)) is highlighted by its significant community service and giveback programs. For the eighth straight year, R2OC is awarding post-secondary education scholarships to participating juniors and seniors. Six 2024 R2OC participants were awarded scholarships that Saturday, including two students that will continue their post-secondary education locally at Rock Valley College via the RVC Foundation Gamechanger Scholarship and the Norma J. Trojan Scholarship.

    Additionally, R2OC earmarked up to $5,000 in grant funding for robotics programming expenses available exclusively for youth robotics programs based in Boone, Stephenson and Winnebago counties – the three counties represented by the event’s founding teams.

Moreover, teams and event attendees were encouraged to support the 2024 R2OC Donation Drive, which benefits the Rock River Food Pantry, by bringing non-perishable food and beverage items to the event.

    R2OC is derived from the international FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), which combines sports with the rigors of science and technology.

FIRST Robotics Competition is regarded as the varsity sport for the mind, featuring teams of 10 or more high school students who are challenged to build and program a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors; raise funds; design a team brand; and hone teamwork skills. For more about FRC, visit www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc.

    To learn more about R2OC, visit www.R2OC.org.

About R2OC

    R2OC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership of four Rock River Valley FIRST Robotics teams. R2OC’s goal is to provide an off-season event where FIRST Robotics teams can participate in a competition, show off their bots to the community, and meet others who share their robotics enthusiasm.