Building Tomorrow’s Innovators, One Robot at a Time

Toyota Kentucky is putting the next generation at the heart of its community investments by helping students build essential skills for future careers through partnerships with FIRST, a worldwide youth robotics organization. FIRST offers hands-on STEM learning experiences via programs like FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition, helping students develop expertise in engineering, programming, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. Each year, FIRST introduces a new game with unique challenges that require teams to design their robots, strategies, and capabilities from scratch. On Saturday, Sept. 12, students from across Kentucky gathered at Toyota Kentucky for a special kickoff event hosted by Kentucky FIRST Robotics to view this year’s competition game, CANOPY. Students, coaches, and mentors watched a livestream reveal of the new game and teamed up with Toyota employees to brainstorm ideas, discuss strategies, and sketch robot designs. Brandon Barach, general manager at Toyota Kentucky and a KY FIRST Robotics board member, noted the enthusiasm of participating students. Teams also inspected a replica competition field to understand the game better. Throughout the school year, teams will test their robots at local and regional events, with top performers advancing to national and international competitions. Toyota Kentucky supports these efforts by providing grants for new and returning KY FIRST teams and offering mentoring opportunities to help offset participation costs and expand STEM access. Kelli Gowan, executive director of KY FIRST Robotics, praised Toyota’s financial backing, facility access, and mentorship support. Team #11275, the Defenders from Bryan Station High School in Lexington, received a Toyota Kentucky grant to support their season. As Toyota Kentucky celebrates its 40th anniversary, its philanthropic giving has surpassed $166 million since 1986, reflecting four decades of investment in Kentucky communities and youth.