About us:

The Full Metal Jackets #3297 is part of the FIRST Robotics organization. It is a high school student-led activity for students based in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

We work out of Perham High School in rural Minnesota providing students with the opportunity to design, code, build and drive robots in competitions. Just as importantly, creativity is fostered and the students involved are learning life skills, critical thinking, and problem solving. The students have the opportunity for leadership roles that build self confidence, open up many opportunities for growth and even get exposed to possible future careers.

Our program formed in 2010. It has grown steadily and we have made it to the State competition the last 2 years. We were alliance captians in 2 of our 3 events, and we were awarded the Team Spirit Award at the Granite City event in St Cloud, MN last year.

This year we have further developed the coding aspect of our robot and it has been exciting to see how it has performed in competitions! In our first competition in Grand Forks this year, we were the #5 Alliance captain, finished in 5th place and received the Gracious Profesionalism Award. In our second competition at the 10,000 Lakes Regional in St Paul, MN we finished as the #1 Alliance captain and ended the event in 3rd place. This puts us in a position for a possible invite to the World Championships in Houston, Tx this May!

Why this matters:

The cost of a trip to World's in Houston would be around $40,000. This includes registration fees, transportation and lodging. This is a large sum to raise in just a few weeks - we need your help!

Our team also has immediate equipment needs to improve the safety of our team and all of our pit gear. We are raising money for a trailer with a ramp for safer loading and unloading. The average cost of this type of trailer is $5000. We also are hoping to add tools in this trailer that will travel with us to each competition. Currently our team has to bring heavy tool boxes and equipment up and down a narrow flight of stairs when loading and unloading the trailer and they are showing heavy wear. This is especially difficult when we get home late from competitions and everything has to be hauled back up the stairs.

Other associated costs:

To build a robot to meet the season's game standards costs more than $10,000. To attend one competition, the entry fee is $6000 and $3000 for each additional competition. These competitions also involve travel for the team including hotel stays, meals and transportation.

Full Metal Jackets Robotics Team

Team Members