Meet Our Team

Lake City ULTRABOTS Team 8041 - Northern Michigan High School Robotics. Student-led and built since 2020.

Students collaborating on the robot design

Student Driven

Empowerment is key. Students take ownership of design, building, programming, and strategic decisions. Mentors guide and teach, but the students drive the robot and the team's success.

Hands-On Learning

From concept to competition, team members gain practical experience in engineering, coding, problem-solving, and teamwork, building skills for the future.

Close-up of the Ultrabots competition robot mechanism

Skills Forged in Competition

Each season brings new challenges, new learning, and invaluable skills developed through hands-on experience.

Click on a photo to learn more!

Student working on 2025 robot

Precision Engineering

  • Advanced fabrication techniques.
  • Iterative design based on performance.
  • Understanding material strengths.
Students troubleshooting code 2024

Debugging & Problem-Solving

Identifying and resolving complex software and hardware issues under pressure during competition.

Team with 2023 robot

Team Cohesion

  • Effective communication within sub-teams.
  • Collaborative strategy development.
  • Supporting teammates during challenges.
Student designing on CAD

CAD Modeling

Utilizing industry-standard software to create detailed 3D models for robot parts and assemblies, allowing for virtual testing and precise manufacturing.

Team presenting to sponsors

Communication

  • Presenting technical concepts to judges.
  • Engaging with community members at events.
  • Developing sponsorship proposals and outreach materials.

With any STEM activity, the skills learned are not just for the competition. They are life skills that will help you in your future career, no matter what field you choose.

Our Core Values (D.R.I.F.T.)

Dedication

Commitment to the team, our goals, and continuous learning.

Respect

Valuing team members, mentors, competitors, and the community.

Innovation

Encouraging creative solutions and embracing new ideas.

Fun

Enjoying the process of learning, building, and competing together.

Teamwork

Collaborating effectively to achieve more than we could alone.

Ultrabots team demonstrating robot at a community event

FIRST Mission

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Learn More About FIRST Programs