About Us

Grizzly Robotics, formerly The Flyers of Willow Run High School, have overcome numerous obstacles while working hard to transform culture and build leaders in STEM. Since 1998, the program has been changing the face of education in the community and provided hundreds of students with a safe environment, away from the violence, drugs and crime that is common in its neighborhoods. As one of the veteran FRC teams in the state of Michigan and a cornerstone in the community, we take our commitment to culture change seriously.

In 2010, the Ypsilanti GM Powertrain Plant closed as a residual effect of the 2008 economic collapse. As a result, we lost our build site, engineering mentors, and primary source of revenue. In the face of adversity, the team worked tirelessly to remain a positive force in our members’ lives with limited resources. The team transitioned operations to Willow Run High School and simultaneously increase membership by over 100%.

In 2013, because of decreasing enrollment, increasing debt and low academic success, our community voted to merge Willow Run Schools with Ypsilanti Schools. Inspired by the tenets of FIRST, our lead mentor co-chaired our high school redesign effort and built a school around FIRST’s principles. Our high school, the Ypsilanti STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Manufacturing) Middle College, is a direct extension of our team, which shows at-risk students that STEM is not only fun and rewarding, but is a proven path where everyone can, “go pro.”

Since 1998, our team has won numerous awards including, but not limited to, a World Championship in 2002, 11 Chairman’s Awards, seven regional/districts championships, and one Woodie Flowers Finalist award.

FRC Team 66

Award History

2019 - Michigan State Championship - Regional Chairman’s Award

2019 - FIM District Lincoln Event - District Engineering Inspiration Award

2019- FIM District Milford Event - District Chairman's Award

2018 - Robotics Championship China - Inspiration Award

2018 - Michigan State Championship - Woodie Flowers Finalist Award (Scott Heister)

2018 - FIM District Belleville Event - District Chairman's Award

2017 - Michigan State Championship - Regional Chairman's Award

2017 - FIM District St. Joseph Event - District Chairman's Award

2016 - Michigan State Championship - Regional Chairman's Award

2016 - FIM District Ann Arbor Skyline Event - District Event Finalist

2016 - FIM District Ann Arbor Skyline Event - Entrepreneurship Award

2016 - FIM District St. Joseph Event - District Chairman's Award

2015 - FIM District Escanaba Event - District Event Winner

2015 - FIM District Escanaba Event - Entrepreneurship Award

2015 - FIM District Howell Event - Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors

2014 - Michigan State Championship - FIRST Dean's List Finalist (Ben Darnell)

2014 - FIM District Bedford Event - Imagery Award in honor of Jack Kamen

2014 - FIM District Great Lakes Bay - Quality Award sponsored by Motorola

2014 - FIM District Escanaba Event - Entrepreneurship Award

2013 - FIM District Livonia Event - Judges' Award

2012 - FIM District Northville Event - District Event Finalists

2012 - FIM District Traverse City Event - Regional Chairman's Award

2011 - FIM District Ann Arbor Event - District Event Winner

2011 - FIM District Traverse City Event - District Chairman’s Award

2010 - FIM District Ann Arbor Event - District Event Winner

2010 - FIM District Ann Arbor Event - Team Spirit Award sponsored by Chrysler

2010 - FIM District Traverse City Event - Website Design Award

2009 - FIM District Detroit Event - District Chairman’s Award

2009 - FIM District Detroit Event - District Winner

2009 - FIM District Detroit Event - Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety Award

2008 - Great Lakes Regional - Regional Finalist

2007 - Buckeye Regional - Regional Chairman's Award

2007 - Buckeye Regional - Imagery Award

2006 - West Michigan Regional - Motorola Quality Award

2006 - Great Lakes Regional - Regional Chairman's Award

2005 - Einstein Field - Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technology" Award

2005 - West Michigan Regional - Regional Winner

2005 - West Michigan Regional - General Motors Industrial Design Award

2005 - Great Lakes Regional - Regional Winner

2004 - Curie Division - Division Finalist

2004 - Great Lakes Regional - Regional Winner

2002 - Einstein Field - Championship Winner

2002 - Newton Division - Division Champion

2002 - Western Michigan Regional - Regional Finalist

2002 - Western Michigan Regional - Motorola Quality Award

2001 - West Michigan Regional - Regional Finalist

1998 - Great Lakes Regional - Judges' Award

Featured

FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit that globally impacts of over 300,000+ students annually. Through innovative mentor-based programs, FIRST excites students and the community about STEM by combining technical skills with the thrill of a sporting event. FIRST inspires students, even those who struggle to succeed in traditional schools, to “go pro” and become leaders in STEM through cooperative education. It instills self-confidence, critical thinking, and perseverance in the face of adversity in its members.

Who We Are

It is the mission of Grizzly Robotics to foster self-confidence, critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills in our members by engaging them in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based activities. Students are introduced to engineering and business concepts through management, design, and construction of robots that compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Our goal is to impact our community and culture by inspiring students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM.

Safety First

Since the beginning, safety has always been our priority. Basics such as Goggles and no Jewelry in the shop is always followed. Hoping to encourage other teams to do the same, we have made a series of safety videos and given them to other teams to encourage safety and responsibility. We'd like to encourage each and every team to follow FIRST's Safety manual. For your convenience we have included the 2017 Safety Manual by FIRST®

2017 SAFETY MANUAL

https://goo.gl/ghUDAQ

Ypsilanti FIRST Robotics Boosters, Inc.

Founded in 2013, Ypsilanti FIRST Robotics Boosters, Incorporated (YFRBI), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. YFRBI supports the YCS Grizzly Robotics Program and other FIRST Teams in the Ypsilanti, MI area. Currently, YFRBI supports FRC Team 66 at Ypsilanti Community HS, and FRC Team 8297 at Washtenaw International HS, as well as several other FIRST Programs including FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Lego League and Jr. FLL teams at local schools. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, email info@ypsifirstrobotics.org.

To donate, visit the Support Us page.

About Us

FRC Team 66

Award History

Ypsilanti FIRST Robotics Boosters, Inc.

Important Dates