Robotics
Pymble Pride Takes on the World Stage at the FRC Championships in Houston
Over the April holidays, 13 students from Pymble Ladies’ College travelled to Houston, Texas, to represent Australia on the global stage at the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) World Championships. Our team, Pymble Pride 6510, proudly packed up our competition robot – quite literally – dismantling it and distributing the parts, tools, and spares across seven large bags to make the long journey by plane.
Once we landed in Houston, the real adventure began. We were warmly welcomed by Team 5414 Pearadox, who generously opened their workshop for us to reassemble our robot. Their support and hospitality were nothing short of amazing, and it made us feel right at home in a new country.
Before the competition kicked off, we had the incredible opportunity to train at the facilities of Team 118, the Robonauts, a world-renowned team based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Alongside them and other visiting teams, we spent three full days testing our autonomous routines, refining our driving, and gaining invaluable insight into how elite teams operate. It was an amazing learning experience – not just in robotics, but in teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.
Another standout moment of the trip was visiting NASA in Houston – a truly inspiring experience, especially for young women in STEM. Seeing where real space missions are planned and engineered gave us a deeper appreciation for the possibilities ahead of us, and it was incredibly inspiring.
The Championships themselves brought together over 600 teams from around the globe, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere of excitement, passion and creativity. Being part of this international event was both inspiring and humbling. We made friends from all over the world, shared stories and strategies, and returned to Australia not just with memories and pride, but with new knowledge and a fresh perspective on what’s possible.
As part of the Milstein Division, we had the privilege of competing alongside some truly incredible teams. Throughout the event, our pit was buzzing with energy – with other teams dropping by to chat, offer support, and check out our robot. We also made time to visit other pits, learn from their designs, and share ideas. One of the most special parts of the experience was the atmosphere of mutual support – we were constantly cheering on other teams and were so touched to have many cheering us on in return. Even though it’s a competition, the FIRST community is about so much more. Teams help each other grow, perform at their best, and celebrate every success – big or small. In the end, we all walk away as winners, simply for being part of something this inspiring.
To wrap up an unforgettable trip, we spent our final day at Six Flags by Texas in Dallas, where we celebrated all we had achieved with roller coasters, laughs and a lot of fun – a well-earned break after a full-on competition week!
We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, organisers, mentors, families and supporters who made the event possible. The dedication and hard work behind the scenes were truly inspiring and deeply appreciated by all of us. It’s safe to say that the 2025 FRC World Championships will be a highlight we’ll never forget – and we’re already looking forward to what’s next.
Go Pymble Pride!
Cristhina Boni Lavratti
Robotics Manager