MERRIMACK – Having won the Gracious Professionalism Award at the New England District Championships earlier this month, Chop Shop 166, the robotics team at Merrimack High School, has been invited to participate in the World Championships in Houston.

This has been one of the most successful years in Chop Shop history with the team winning four medals and one blue banner. The team also won the Impact Award, the Engineering Inspiration Award and finished as an event finalist on two occasions.

“Chop Shop attended the District Championships this past weekend where we earned the Gracious Professionalism Award, a cornerstone principle of the FIRST community,” said Chop Shop mentor Ian MacGregor. “On top of that, we have received an invitation to compete in the World Championships in Houston. Well done Chop Shop. Houston, here we come.”

To receive an invitation to the World Championships, teams compete in their local regional or district competitions to earn district points. They earn district points for how they place in a competition and for the awards they win throughout the year. Going into the District Championships, Chop Shop was ranked 25th in the New England District and after the District Championships the team had enough points to earn an invitation to Houston.

“It means everything to be able to go to the World Championships this year,” said Tim B., Chop Shop co-captain. “We’ve put in so much work towards improving our team and it’s wonderful to see something as great as this come of it. “The team couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity and it looks like we’ll see checkered flags in Houston once again.”

The last time Chop Shop attended the World Championships was in 2023 after winning the Impact Award at the New England District Championships.

To assist with travel expenses, the team has started a GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/91741d31.