Gorge Tech Alliance began managing the region’s FIRST LEGO League equipment lending program and tournaments in 2009 with the support of many of our GTA members and sponsors who were interested in ensuring our youth had access to robotics programming locally. Since then, hundreds of youth have benefitted from access to these STEM opportunities because of this commitment by the GTA’s members and sponsors. We were thrilled to announce that the GTA transitioned oversight of these robotics programs to the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub in 2023. As an arm of the Columbia Gorge Educational Service District, this local organization is focused on increasing access to STEM education opportunities in the Gorge, and the Alliance determined that bringing the robotics program under the STEM Hub’s umbrella was the best way to keep this program moving forward successfully. The GTA continues to support this important program through fundraising as part of our annual Membership and Sponsorship Drive.
If you are interested in bringing Robotics to your school or program, visit the STEM Hub’s site here.
February 2025 – During the 2024-2025 robotics season, GTA Funding supported 129 students! The middle-school team from Wy’East won at the state level competition to advance to the Worlds Competition in Texas. For a recap of the this year’s tournament excitement with photos, visit here.
2025-2026 Update. The Gorge Technology Alliance and the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub continue to support Gorge competitive robotics as a team effort. United by a shared commitment to equitable STEM education, the two organizations are once again offering mini-grants to robotics teams, helping ensure students from all backgrounds can access hands-on, high-quality STEM learning opportunities. Read the full press release here.