The 2026 Norsemen Robotics season is underway! On January 10th, our students and mentors traveled to Boyne City, where we joined other Northern Michigan teams in viewing the reveal video for the 2026 competition game: FIRST Rebuilt.  The game will require our robot to collect and score foam balls into a 6-ft goal, drive over an elevated ramp, and climb a ladder. To better understand this year's game, click this link to view a short video animation:  2026 FIRST Robotics Competition REBUILT

THE PROCESS

Even though we have only had a few weeks since the game was released, the team has been hard at work. We approach the build season through these principals:

• Understanding: First, as a group, we talk through the main aspects of the game, including scoring potential, penalty rules, and the field layout. This ensures all team members have equal understanding as we move into brainstorming.
• Prioritizing: Next, we make a list of every task in the game which our robot could potentially accomplish, discussing the complexities of each. Using this evaluation, we can narrow down the robot functions which would be most advantageous to pursue.
• Planning & Prototyping: Finally, armed with whiteboards, cardboard, scrap wood, and whatever else can be found, we divide into teams to begin laying out design ideas and prototyping potential components.

To see what we have been working on so far, please see the attached “Build Season” PDF.

MEET OUR TEAM

We are very excited to invite our sponsors and supporters to visit our build space as we create this year’s robot. We would love to meet you and show you what we do! Our team meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30, and Saturdays 10-3. Please contact mentor Emma Megill at (231) 633-9226 or elgrant231@gmail.com to set up a visit time.

SUPPORTING NORSEMEN ROBOTICS

As always, we are incredibly grateful for the support that our community shows each year. To continue your support of our team, please view the 2026 Sponsor letter, which further details our goals for the season. If you have already donated this season, we thank you again for your support! This program would not be possible without the help of our communities.

With much gratitude,

Members of Team 3688