UMF welcomes Blue Crew High School Robotics Team to campus for the 2026 season
FARMINGTON, ME (March 4, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington is pleased to announce that the Blue Crew Robotics Team, originally based at Mt. Blue High School, is currently housed downstairs in UMF Ricker Addition in the former Sweatt Winter building on campus for the 2026 season.
Through this new sponsorship, the Blue Crew hopes to improve access to community members as they learn about the team’s experiences in teaching and learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Blue Crew’s mission is to spread STEM and FIRST values in Western Maine and to create the next generation of problem solvers and thinkers. The team is made up of students from Mt. Blue High School, Spruce Mountain High School, the Foster Career and Technical Education Center and home school students.
The team’s 2026 season will include participation in the Maine Pine Tree District Competition and the University of Vermont FRC District Competition. Should the team qualify, they will advance to the New England and National level events.
More Information on the Blue Crew Robotics Team
The Blue Crew competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) where teams design, build, and program 115 pound industrial robots to compete in a game where three teams work together as an alliance to score points on a basketball court sized playing field. The Blue Crew provides team members with experiences in robotics including engineering, design, fabrication, programming, and problem solving. The team also provides students opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills through its root beer float stand fundraisers and students develop leadership skills as the team is 100% student led.
More on University of Maine at Farmington
A nationally recognized regional public university, the University of Maine at Farmington is known for its commitment to teacher preparation, the creative arts, health and science, environmental studies, business and public service. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF provides a challenging but welcoming academic community—here in Farmington and online—that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/03/RP256-025A.webp
Photo Caption: (Left to right) High school students Maggie Callaway and Sarah Leblanc working on the Blue Crew robot.
Photo Credit: Submitted Image
Photo Caption: Blue Crew Mentors and UMF alumni (Left to right) Rob Taylor ’89, Katie Joseph ’17 and Jeff Bailey ’98 work with high school robotics team.
Photo Credit: Submitted Image
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