INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP S.T.E.M. SKILLS
© 2026 Due West Robotics
History
2011
- Ethan received a LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 robot kit for Christmas
2012/13
- March: Charles Angel (Dr. V) invited Ethan, John Paul, Matt, and Thadd to build and program the NXT 2.0 kit at weekly meetings
- Ethan attended a FLL Workshop in Clemson (Charles Angel was convinced to start a FLL team)
- Our first FLL team (The Tornado of Ideas) registered to compete during the Senior Solutions season
2013/14
- The Town of Due West provided a room above town hall for Due West Robotics teams to meet and practice
- We offered our first workshops to inspire new teams to start and recruit team members
- We had two FLL teams for the first time
- The Tornado of Ideas became our first team to win an award (Core Values)
- The Tornado of Ideas became our first team to advance to the state championship
- September: Our first FLL Jr. team was formed (Bright Judge Warriors)
2014/15
- August 1st: Due West Robotics incorporated and officially became a non-profit organization in the state of South Carolina
- Berkeley’s Seismological Laboratory included the Tornado of ideas in their 2013-2014 Annual Report
- We had two FLL Jr. teams for the first time
2015/16
- March 12: Officially became a 501(c)3
- Held our first Fun Faire
- Started our first Aerospace Club
- The first year we had 2 FLL teams advance to the state championship
- First year we had 3 FLL Jr. teams
2016/17
- Formed our first TARC rocketry team
- Started our first Maker Club
- Started our first Game Developers Club
- Due West Robotics helped Calhoun Falls and Honea Path start their first FLL teams
- First year we had 3 FLL teams
- The Tornado of Ideas became our first team to win state and advance to Worlds
2017/18
- Erskine College provided space allowing us to support additional FLL teams and our first FTC team
- Started our first FTC team (Electron Interference)
- First year we had 4 FLL teams
- Hosted our first FLL Coaches Clinic to help new teams around the upstate
- Held our first FLL Coopertition Scrimmage
- First year we had 3 FLL teams advance to the state championship
- Electron Interference became our first FTC team to win an award (Think Award)
- Electron Interference became our first FTC team to advance to the South East Super Regionals
2018/19
- Due West Robotics teams helped start 2 FLL and one FLL Jr. team in Greenwood
- The Narwhal of Ideas won state and advanced to the LEGOLAND International Open
- Hosted our first FTC Match Meet
- The Narwhal of Ideas became our first team to win an award at an international competition
