FIRST Robotics Competition Team 181, the Birds of Prey, is a collaboration between high school students from two different Hartford Public Schools and professional mentors from companies such as Pratt & Whitney. Founded in 1997, the team is open to all high school students from Hartford Public Schools and is dedicated to providing a dynamic learning environment where team members can be inspired by science and technology and mentored to develop their life skills. Our team currently has around 20 student members, along with many active mentors, parents, and teachers.
Since its founding, the team has won over 40 awards at various levels of competition. Every single team member has graduated from high school, and over 90% of our students have gone on to attend college. Several of our alumni are now working as engineers and have returned to the team as mentors.
In 2009, the Birds of Prey moved back to its original home at Hartford Public High School. The team is open to students from all Hartford Public Schools and currently includes students from Hartford Public High School and Pathways Academy of Technology & Design.
Former team members have gone on to attend a variety of colleges and universities, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bentley College, Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, Trinity College, University of New Hampshire, University of Hartford, Union College, William and Mary College, Manchester Community College, Howard University, Sacred Heart University, Capital Community College, Columbia University, Albright College, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, Champlain College, and Kansas State University.
Team 181 | Birds of Prey 