FIRST® Tech Challenge Team 21618 “Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics” was founded in 2022 as a grassroots effort to expand hands-on STEM education in Wyoming. Based in Cheyenne, the team operates through Wyoming 4-H, a community-based youth development program, and the University of Wyoming Extension, supporting robotics programs for students across Cheyenne and Laramie County. Now in the team’s fourth season, Circuit Breakers is focusing on connecting technical education to the needs of Wyoming’s rural and agricultural communities through statewide outreach, applied engineering projects, and engagement with local and state leaders.
Students from the Circuit Breakers program pose with Governor Mark Gordon following student-led presentations on the Wyoming House and Senate floors during an open 2025 legislation session.
Building a Statewide Presence in Wyoming
Since the team’s rookie season, Circuit Breakers has competed across multiple FIRST Tech Challenge seasons, advancing to the Wyoming State Championship in 2025 and earning recognition for the team’s outreach and engagement efforts. In addition to competition, the team regularly conducts demonstrations and hands-on activities in schools, businesses, scout troops, and 4-H programs across the state, using their FIRST Tech Challenge robot to introduce students and families to STEM through FIRST®.
Over several seasons, consistent outreach expanded their visibility statewide, leading to repeat invitations to participate in public and civic events and ongoing local media coverage highlighting the team and overall impact of STEM programs in Wyoming. As the team’s presence grew, Circuit Breakers began engaging more directly with local and state elected leaders, including public recognition and meetings with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, who met with the team earlier this month.
Members of FIRST Tech Challenge Team 21618 Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics demonstrate their robot for Governor Mark Gordon during a meeting on February 2, 2026.
FIRST at the Wyoming State Capitol
In March 2025, Circuit Breakers was invited to the Wyoming State Capitol during open legislative sessions. During the visit, the team presented and operated its FIRST Tech Challenge robot directly on the House and Senate chamber floors.
Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics coach and students drive the team’s robot, Blackout, off the Wyoming House of Representatives floor following a presentation on their team and the role of FIRST and STEM education in their learning.
Being granted floor privileges is a rare honor that allows visitors to step into the space where lawmakers sit, debate, and vote, rather than observing from the public gallery. This access gave students the opportunity to speak directly with legislators, the Governor, and the Secretary of State, and to have close, one-on-on conversations about how hands-on STEM programs like FIRST are positively impacting their team and broader communities across Wyoming.
Building on the team’s ongoing relationship with Governor Gordon, Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics is scheduled to return to the State Capitol this month to present to the Governor as part of the team's work with the Wyoming Enrichment Network, which supports after-school programs such as 4-H.
Applying STEM to Wyoming’s Agricultural Challenges
Beyond outreach and civic engagement, Circuit Breakers focuses on applying robotics to challenges directly relevant to Wyoming’s agricultural communities.
“Robotics in Wyoming, especially within 4-H, presents a unique challenge: introducing advanced technology into a community deeply rooted in agriculture, while showing how innovation and tradition can coexist in a truly symbiotic relationship,” says one of the team’s coaches, Hannah Fields. “Wyoming values long-standing practices, and bridging those boundaries has been an especially enriching experience for Circuit Breakers students.”
With support from the Wyoming-based 9H Research Foundation, the team designed a SmartRanch prototype application capable of remotely monitoring water levels across ranch properties. The project required sensor integration, data collection, testing, and iteration, allowing students to apply FIRST Tech Challenge-scale engineering to a real operational need faced by ranchers across the state.
Members of 9H Research Foundation meet with Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics on the 9H Ranch in Laramie, Wyoming, to discuss the team's SmartRanch App and measure distances between the watering stations and ranch houses.
The team has also explored the Ag-XRP platform through the development of a deployable greenhouse system designed for rural environments. The system incorporates automated controls and environmental monitoring to support year-round food production in regions where climate and distance can make traditional growing seasons more limited.
The Road to the United States Governor’s Cup
In less than two weeks, Circuit Breakers 4-H Robotics will represent Wyoming at the United States Governor’s Cup, joining a total of 50 teams from across the country on February 20–21 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. To watch Circuit Breakers and other teams in action, tune in to the Day 1 and Day 2 livestreams on the Experiential Robotics YouTube channel and follow along as students showcase their creativity, technical growth, and applied learning on the national stage.
To learn more about the United States Governor’s Cup, visit www.experiential.bot/govcup.