Team 226's Mission.

Team #226, the TEC CReW Hammerheads, joined a partnership with the FIRST Robotics Competition in 1999 and asked GM to be a corporate sponsor. Both of these partnerships allow our team members to learn, mature, and grow while having a great deal of fun and building long lasting friendships. We have a long standing tradition of excellence and have received numerous awards, including, but not limited to: Regional Winner at Great Lakes Regional in 2003, OCCRA Spirit and Sportsmanship awards, and multiple peer awards presented by other FIRST teams. Student workgroup leaders and a president, with the help of adult mentors, run the Hammerheads. The team consists of about 50 Troy School District Students, 2 Troy School District employees, 5 community mentors, and about 15 GM engineers.

"Knowledge is Power but Enthusiasm Throws the Switch."

So what exactly is FIRST? It stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology". It is, in other words, an organization that exists to inspire students in science and technology. In this world there is an increasing need for engineers, programmers, and any hard working person that can contribute to society. FIRST allows students to have the opportunity to be exposed to science and technology at an early age. These students have a greater chance of succeeding later in life, and will also be prepared for and even help shape an ever changing technological landscape.

In the future, FIRST plans to have its philosophy of working as a team and "gracious professionalism (that is, respecting competitors and helping out when necessary)" spread to kids all over the world. Another goal that FIRST works towards is what founder Dean Kamen likes to call his "homework." For example, in 2004 he encouraged mentoring rookie teams and applying for FIRST-specific scholarships. In 2007, he asked students to invite government officials to FIRST events to increase political awareness of the organization. In fact, many officials were so impressed that FIRST President Paul Gudonis was invited to testify before the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor about FIRST's achievements and goals.