STMA Robotics gears up for fundraiser to combat competition costs

The STMA Robotics Team—known in competition as Team 7028, Binary Battalion—is inviting the community to rally behind local students at a unique fundraiser on Sunday, February 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Liberty Bar and Restaurant in St. Michael.

The event, hosted by the St. Michael Lions, is open to those 18 and older and will feature electronic horse racing and a meat raffle, offering attendees a fun and social way to support STEM education right here in the community.

Members of the Binary Battalion will be on site with their 2026 competition robot, currently under construction, giving guests a firsthand look at the engineering, programming, and teamwork that go into competitive robotics. Team members will be available to answer questions about the robot, the team, and their participation in FIRST Robotics Competition, an international program that challenges high school students to design, build, and compete with industrial-sized robots.

Unlike many extracurricular activities, FIRST Robotics requires teams to build an entirely new robot every year. Each season introduces a brand-new game with different rules, field elements, and engineering challenges...meaning parts, designs, and strategies must be reimagined annually. As a result, the cost of participation is significant—robot materials, tools, electronics, registration fees, and competition expenses add up quickly.

Funds raised go beyond robot construction. The team also raises money to help offset travel costs to two regional competitions and—if they qualify—the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas, held in late April. These events provide students with invaluable, real-world experience in engineering, collaboration, and problem-solving on a global stage. The team traveled to Houston to compete in the World Championships in both 2024 and 2025, bringing two very strong robots that performed well on the world stage and made STMA proud.

The team of high school students also invests in the next generation of innovators. STMA Robotics fully funds and sponsors Build-a-Bot, a hands-on robotics event hosted at the St. Michael Library for children ages 6 to 9. During the program, scheduled for April 20, participants work with team members to assemble a robot of their own to take home. Registration for Build-a-Bot will open soon through the library’s website.

This year, fundraising has taken on added importance for the Binary Battalion. One of the team’s founding sponsors, who was consistently the team’s largest sponsor, has had to reduce their support by 60% this season and has made plans to discontinue sponsorship entirely in 2027. The team is working diligently to secure new sponsors and expand fundraising efforts to ensure the program remains strong and accessible for students.

The February 15 fundraiser is the most immediate and impactful way for community members to show their support. Whether you’re a robotics enthusiast, a supporter of youth education, or simply looking for a fun afternoon out, the team hopes to see you at Liberty Bar & Restaurant.

If you are unable to attend the event but would still like to contribute, STMA Robotics is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and accepts donations of all sizes. Checks can be made payable to STMA Robotics and mailed to P.O. Box 68, Albertville, MN 55301.

To follow the team’s progress this season, find them on Facebook at STMA Robotics or visit their YouTube page, @7028robotics, to meet some of the students and see them in action as they build another world-class competitive robot.