Materion-Sponsored Team Hosts VEX Robotics Competition

The Materion sponsored Longfellow Middle School robotics team hosted the third annual Lorain Titan VEX Qualifier. Located in Lorain, Ohio, the February 15th competition saw over 67 teams from across Ohio compete in the 2019-2020 VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover.

"It has been great to watch the Longfellow teams' technical growth and their competition performance and know Materion was able to support their efforts," said Lorain Plant Manager Nathan Goebel. "We are always on the lookout for ways to support the local community. During the 2016-2017 school year, we were approached by the Longfellow Middle School robotics team about sponsorship. We felt promoting STEM activities was a great fit for Materion, so we sponsored the team for the balance of the 2016-2017 and have continued to do so every year since."

Sponsors are essential to robotics teams, where a single robot can cost $1,800 to $2,000 a year, explained Denise Fahrney, Longfellow Career Tech teacher and head coach of the robotics team. An estimated 75% of the funds to run the team—including uniforms, building supplies, and hotels expenses—are raised and covered by sponsors.

The VEX Robotics State Championship will be held on March 6 and 7 in Marion, Ohio, followed by the VEX Robotics World Championship planned April 22 to 25 in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2018, the Lorain Longfellow Robotics Team qualified in the VEX Ohio State Championship as one of the top 180 middle school teams in the world to compete in the World Championships.

To follow the team as they progress during competitions, follow their Facebook page.