GearSTEM builds community-based FIRST Robotics Teams across central New Mexico.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Celebrating 10 Years of FTC!! Starting in 2015, several members of Gear Girls and Gear Guys formed Gear Masters, a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team. They made it to the finals at their first qualifying event, but just missed out on a spot at the Regional Championship. Since then, they have made it to the AZ and/or NM Regional Championships each year. They have won many awards along the way, including Winning and Finalist Alliance, 1st Place Inspire Awards at multiple qualifiers, and other top awards. They have been invited to compete at the World Championship in Houston, TX in 2019 and 2022. In 2023, one of their members won the Dean's LIst Award -- the highest award an individual can earn in the FIRST programs. Over the last 4 years, we've spun off additional FTC teams, including Geared Up and Axols & Gears. Both teams have been very successful at qualifiers and at the NM Championship.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL)
Gear Girls, a girls-only team, formed as part of our Girl Scout Troop in 2008. After a few years, we added more teams, including a boys-only team, Gear Guys. Gear Girls and Gear Guys were both very successful teams on their own, until merging to form Gear Squad In 2015. GearSTEM teams have earned top awards in New Mexico Qualifiers and NM Regional Championships. They have earned 1st & 2nd Place Champions Awards, as well as awards in each of the 4 categories of awards over the years. Our teams have competed at the Canada Open in Toronto, LEGOLAND Invitationals in California, and at the World Championships in Houston. Since 2012, we've also hosted FLL Jr. (now called FLL Explore) teams for younger team members, and in 2024, we've again added another FLL Challenge team. We're looking forward to growing our program, and seeing many of these students continue into FTC and FRC!
Geared Up (FTC #20334)
In 2021, we had several new students join the Gear Masters FTC team. So many new members that the team decided to split in half and form a new team -- Geared Up! Supported by a Rookie Grant from DEKA and FIRST Robotics, our newest team did great in their first FTC season, and is positioned to be a strong contender for years to come.
Thank you!
We'd like to say a special thanks to everyone who has supported the Gear Club over the years. There are so many contributors, but there are some who have gone above and beyond to make our trips to the World Championship possible: New Mexico FIRST LEGO League; Smith & Fidel Family; Andrew Ortiz, Attorney; Peake Law Firm; REV Robotics; and all our parents, mentors and coaches. Please visit our Fundly campaign to help our teams go to the World Championship in April. Thanks!!
