Engineering New Ways to Cross the Road!

We are FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team #217, the ThunderChickens.

Welcome to our virtual chicken coop! You’ll find information about FIRST, our team, our sponsors, as well as details about our competitions and community outreach events.

Our 2017 Schedule

Regional Tournaments

Week 3

Greater Pittsburgh Regional

California, PA

Week 5

Troy Athens Michigan District

Troy, MI

Week 6

Marysville Michigan District

Marysville, MI

Championship Tournaments

Michigan State Championship

Saginaw Valley State - Ryder Center

Saginaw, MI

FIRST Championship

Edward Jones Dome

St. Louis, MO

Our team was founded in 1999 as Team Macomb; in 2002 we became the ThunderChickens.

Our students come from all four high schools of Utica Community Schools in Macomb County.

We work out of the Van Dyke Ford Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Learn more

Newton Division Winners - 2016 World Championship

Join the team

Are you part of the Utica Community Schools, and you want to work with a creative team — then we are perfect for you.

Every ThunderCHicken has the chance to learn each and every aspect of creating the robot. Many students are involved in more than one of the following areas: design, build, electrical, programming, strategy, scouting, pit crew, public Relations, and of course the drive team.

Register Here