Central High School’s robotics program serves over 100 students. After school, the RoboLancers and LANCE-A-LOT are two large student-led FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. And during the school day, the Robotics Class comprises two smaller  FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams. An after school Programming Club rounds out the program offerings.

Established in 1999, the team has grown from a handful of students whose sole purpose was to build robots, into the school’s largest student-run organization whose main goal is to inspire students across Philadelphia to pursue careers in science and technology.

The RoboLancers learn important leadership, management and financial skills as they oversee a large and complex operation. They also learn about STEM from each other, from their mentors, and from their coaches. They are given the tools to apply their knowledge, and about potential STEM career paths with the goal to turn ideas into physical creations.

The RoboLancers of Central High School, a FIRST Hall of Fame team, is entering its 26th season. The team’s mission is “To inspire and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders in Philadelphia.”

After winning the FIRST Impact Award in 2023, the Central High School RoboLancers are prequalified to compete at the FIRST World Championship in Houston every year until 2033 as a FIRST Hall of Fame team.

In 2023, the team brought 24 students to Houston, and this year they are bringing 48! Beyond the robot competition, the team is leading conference sessions in Houston to share their success and insight with other teams. Help us to provide students with the experience of the World Championship and represent the RoboLancers team at the global level.

Beyond this, costs to renovate the current workspaces with new tools and machines are always a high priority.

Support our RoboLancers in their continued effort of offering a STEM education to the youth of Philadelphia.