Members of the Ramstein High School robotics team speak to a judge during a competition in Stuttgart, Germany, earlier this year. (Courtesy photo)

The Ramstein High School robotics team is gearing up for its third consecutive world competition in Houston, Texas, where it will represent the Department of Defense Education Activity among some 336 teams.

The Royals punched their ticket to the First World Championships with a strong performance at the local DODEA-Europe First Tech Challenge Invitational at Kaiserslautern High School in late February, according to team coach Alfredo Rios. Competing against 31 teams across Europe, including 20 from DODEA schools, Ramstein earned the Inspire Award, a special recognition given by the judges for all-around achievement.

The team is still raising funds so its six members can compete in Houston from April 27 to May 2, Rios said, noting a number of local and international organizations have provided generous donations and grants so far to help with expenses.

“These next few weeks before the championships, the team will be fine-tuning the mechanics of the robot as well as the coding it takes to maneuver the robot both for autonomous and non-autonomous play,” Rios said.