The robotics team for 4C Academy is headed back to Texas for the FIRST Robotics World Championships after securing a spot at a recent competition. 

The Commodores earned the spot after another successful season in which the team was the event winner and earned the Autonomous award at the Dalton Robotics Competition followed by being a finalist and impact award winner at the Albany Robotics event. The group finished second at the recent state competition and ended the season in third place overall among nearly 150 teams in Georgia and South Carolina.

It’s the fifth time that the Commodores have ventured to Houston for the largest robotics competition in the world. The team has gone to the world championships every year they’ve been in existence with the exception of 2020 when there was no championship due to COVID-19.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our students and their coach and mentor, Mr. Hagler, for the work and success that they have had this season,” 4C Academy CEO Chris Hatcher said. “Exposing students to opportunities in the STEM fields is one of our key goals here at 4C and robotics is a great way to teach both technical and essential skills.  What an exciting opportunity for our students.”

4C Academy was established through a push by the Dougherty County School System to offer students more flexibility to pursue skills related to high-demand careers and more learning opportunities through partnerships with Albany Technical College, Albany State University and the business community. In 2021 it was named the state’s College and Career Academy of the Year.

“It’s an honor for any team to earn a chance to compete against the best robotics teams in the world,” Dougherty County School System Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said. “To earn that chance five times in six years is a testament to the commitment and skills of our students, coach and the program they’ve been able to build at 4C. This is an incredible accomplishment.”