As the Columbus School robotics team prepares for the 2018 season, it’s looking for sponsors that can work with the team to facilitate the design, construction, and competition process.

The robotics team is part of the Colombian Innovation Program (CIP). It’s composed of 60 students from different schools that work together to build a robot in six weeks to compete in First Robotics Competition (FRC).  They will compete in the south florida regionals against 59 teams in March.

“We wanted different schools to build a robotics team that would participate in FRC”  Julian Zuñiga, TCS Team Leader, said.

In the 2017 season CIP climbed all the way up from last to first place, only to be disqualified in the semifinals.

“Our goals for next season is actually going to the world championship,” Zuñiga, said.

The sponsors will give not only economic support for the team but will generate more confidence in the team members.

“It’s really disappointing when you are in a competition like FRC, and you see all of those teams with lots of sponsors and support. Then you look at your team and think wow, isn’t there anyone who can believe in us?” Natalia Arturo, La Enseñanza School Leader, said.

The performance of the team will significantly be improved with the presence of economic aid from sponsors.

“We need to import many parts for our robot and all those things take time and requires money,” Zuñiga, said.

Students have to pay for the trip along with food and accommodations. Sponsors will allow for the children from public schools or kids that don’t have the money to spare for a trip like this.

Taking 60 people to an event like this demands a lot of logistics and that’s translated into money,” Zuñiga, said.

Future sponsors can provide technical and economical support.

“They want to not only give them economical support but also technical support to help them and have the team grow,” Pablo Monsalve, TCS Merchandise Leader, said.

Innovation is a very important part of the team therefore  The companies that share the same innovative principle as of the team are the ones more suitable for it.

“Hopefully, I would like to have every single company that would like to innovate, most of our students are potential innovators and potential engineers in the future,” Zuñiga, said.