Two local robotics teams funded by the Department of War’s STEM program were selected to compete in the inaugural United States Governor’s Cup held at Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., Feb. 20-21.
This first-of-its-kind event featured one FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team from each state. The teams — Ride the Robot from Dover, New Hampshire, and Blue Potato Lobsters from Berwick, Maine — showcased their design-thinking and teamwork abilities throughout the tournament. Both teams, representing Maine and New Hampshire, are coached by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard staff who view these national stages as vital classrooms for the next generation.
“Outreach and promotion of STEM is a core part of our team, so the opportunity to demonstrate the value of FIRST on a national stage was a no-brainer,” said Nick Piscitello, a PNSY electrical engineer and coach of Ride the Robot. “When given the choice between attending the New Hampshire State Championship with a chance to go to the World Championship or the Governor’s Cup, our students unanimously chose to represent New Hampshire in Washington, D.C.”
That choice placed the students at the center of a high-profile gathering. The event coincided with the National Governors Association 2026 Winter Meeting, providing a platform to showcase how hands-on STEM programming fosters student ingenuity and prepares them for the future. New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte spent time with Ride the Robot in the pit area and joined the team for one of their qualifying matches. A key lesson for students is “coopertition” - a term coined by FIRST to describe the balance of cooperation and competition. In the spirit of coopertition, Ride the Robot and Blue Potato Lobsters supported each other throughout the event, leaning into their home-state connections. The teams are part of the Seacoast and Robotics Coalition, a resource-sharing group for Maine and New Hampshire teams, many of which are mentored by PNSY staff. Throughout the event, the teams exchanged robot components and discussed strategies.
This collaborative mindset is exactly what FIRST leadership hopes to instill in every student. “Participants in FIRST programs develop far more than technical skills,” said Collin Fultz, senior director of the FIRST Robotics Competition and FTC. “They acquire skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and grit — skills that will serve them regardless of their future path. FIRST participants come out of the programs more ready to face whatever the future holds.”