Team MAX 1071, the Wolcott High School Robotics Team, won the Regional FIRST Impact Award at the New England FIRST District Championship this past Friday. The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST.

Out of a total of more than 175 teams eligible for the award this year in New England, just four were selected to receive this most prestigious award at the district championship event. Winning the award automatically qualified the team for the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, where hundreds of teams from around the globe will show off their STEM skills.

While presenting the award, the master of ceremonies highlighted the team's accomplishments in the past years, including the opening of a science center in Nigeria, as well as STEM outreach close to home. In addition to these accomplishments, the team has done the following major outreach programs in order to further their mission:
- Operated and mentored 13 FIRST teams
- Running an official event at every level of FIRST (only team in New England to do so)
- Developed multiple curricula for students in Africa
- Connected culturally with African students
- And much more!

The team's full essay submission can be found on the team's website.

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Team MAX 1071 is a highly awarded FIRST Robotics Competition team based in Wolcott, Conn. Founded in 2003, it's mission is to promote the learning of STEM topics, apply that knowledge to assist and educate the community, and help students understand their potential.