A first-year youth robotics team made up of Utica-area refugees and led by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students overcame several challenges to place in the top 15 at a First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics competition, SUNY Poly said.

The team of 11-to-17-year-olds finished 13th among 23 robotics teams competing at the FTC Robotics Competition Qualifier at Sauquoit Valley High School.

In addition, the team took home the Judges Award, for unique efforts, performance, or dynamics that merit recognition even though the team does not fit into any existing award categories, said SUNY Poly. The event judges said “this team’s award is for exceptional teamwork....They crossed international borders and language barriers. They reached out in their community to share their newfound love of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).”

The team was started at the Midtown Utica Community Center by SUNY Poly senior Oghenekovie Evi-Parker, a mechanical engineering major originally from Nigeria, and Moe Zae, a SUNY Poly junior majoring in computer science.

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