March 17, 2026
Congratulations to the MPArors, who earned the Engineering Inspiration Award—one of the most prestigious honors in FIRST Robotics—at the Lake Superior Regional competition in Duluth!
The recognition capped off a hard-fought weekend for the team and a bounce back following a slow start. At 0-3 on Friday and ranked 40th out of 42 teams, the MPArors made their move. The team then won seven of its final eight matches to finish with a 7-4 record and climb to 17th place heading into alliance selections.
The top eight alliances selected their playoff partners, while the MPArors waited to learn their next opponent. When Alliance 8 chose them, the team erupted with excitement—validation for months of design, programming, strategy, and teamwork dating back to the start of team meetings in October.
Competing as part of Alliance 8 meant facing the top-seeded alliance in the opening round—an always-daunting challenge. Despite a determined effort, the MPArors fell 247-108, then battled in the lower bracket before a narrow 127-116 loss ended their playoff run.
But the story of the weekend didn’t end there. Rather than heading home, the team stayed to watch the remainder of the competition—a decision that proved meaningful. The playoffs continued as the matches intensified, with faster gameplay, louder crowds, and higher stakes. For newer team members, it was an unforgettable introduction to the energy and scale of a regional event.
Following the conclusion of the competition, the award ceremony began. Throughout the weekend, judges had visited the MPArors’ pit multiple times, engaging students in conversations about their work, outreach, and team culture. As awards were announced, anticipation built. The most prestigious honors are reserved for last—and when the judges’ description included a reference to a “flock,” a nod to the team’s penguin mascot, the MPArors were excited for what came next, as the team was named winners of the Engineering Inspiration Award.
“I can’t even write about this without getting emotional,” said coach and MPA faculty member Marc Shapiro. “Our team members were overjoyed to receive this award. The team members did everything with enthusiasm and focus. I am extremely proud not only of what they accomplished, but also of how they accomplished it.”
According to FIRST Robotics, the Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates a team that demonstrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering. For the MPArors, that mission has been brought to life through years of intentional outreach and community engagement.
The team’s renewed focus on outreach was sparked by alum Ian Frankel ‘24, who helped reestablish a culture of sharing STEM beyond the walls of the robotics lab. His efforts—including launching a summer robotics camp at MPA for Middle School students—laid the groundwork for ongoing initiatives led by current student leaders.
Today, students like Lilly Liao (outreach leader), Sofia Duran (operations captain), Nicole Kim (electronics captain and leadership award nominee), and Gavin Pederson (driver and programmer), along with their teammates and mentors, continue to expand that impact. From Lower School demonstrations to community events and partnerships with local organizations, the MPArors are actively inspiring the next generation of innovators.
When the team returned to the hotel after the competition, mentors reflected on everything that had gone into the weekend—and the season as a whole. Students had scouted, strategized, coded, driven, repaired, presented, interviewed, collaborated, and supported one another at every turn. And beyond the competition floor, they continued refining their work late into the night.
“The team members did everything with enthusiasm and focus,” Shapiro said. “I am extremely proud not only of what they accomplished, but also of how they accomplished it.”
The Engineering Inspiration Award stands as an affirmation of that effort—not just for what the MPArors achieved in Duluth, but for the lasting impact they are making in their community and beyond.
