Meet The Teams Headed to the United States Governor’s Cup: Team 23974 A.S.T.R.O. Vikings

What distinguishes FIRST^® Tech Challenge Team 23974 “A.S.T.R.O. Vikings” isn’t just how they compete, but the role they play in their local community.

FIRST^® programs have been part of the Alamogordo, New Mexico community since 2016, building a foundation of student participation, mentorship and district support around robotics and STEM education. But this was disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many after-school programs paused or disappeared, and access to STEM programs became limited for students across the region.

Members of A.S.T.R.O. Vikings mentor local FIRST team “A.S.T.R.O. Stones” at the Alamogordo High School cafeteria

The A.S.T.R.O. Vikings’ FIRST Tech Challenge team was formed in 2022, drawing on that earlier FIRST presence to help restore and expand opportunities for students of all ages in the region. As a community-based team of high school students, A.S.T.R.O. Vikings now supports and advocates for robotics programs and FIRST teams across the district and neighboring communities while competing in FIRST Tech Challenge.

Expanding FIRST in New Mexico

Since the beginning, the team has focused on expanding access to FIRST and STEM opportunities across southern New Mexico. In just two seasons, A.S.T.R.O. Vikings has logged more than 2,300 hours of community service and estimates their outreach has reached more than 100,000 people through competitions, community events, and public demonstrations.

For example, team members regularly set up a booth at the Otero County Fair, participate in local parades and community block parties, support STEM nights at several elementary schools, and demonstrate robotics at regional events such as Spaceport America’s Open House and military base air shows. They also engage civic and media audiences through radio appearances and regular presentations to the Alamogordo Public Schools Board of Education and local organizations.

A.S.T.R.O. Vikings pose aboard the team’s float during the 2025 Alamogordo Public Schools homecoming parade

Their work has also been recognized at the state level, with A.S.T.R.O. Vikings earning back-to-back New Mexico FIRST Inspire Awards over the past two FIRST Tech Challenge seasons. Beyond individual recognition, FIRST teams supported through the group’s mentoring and event-hosting efforts have advanced through state-level competitions and into FIRST Championship, reflecting growing passion and stability across teams in the southern New Mexico FIRST ecosystem.

From Outreach to Advocacy

As their outreach efforts grew, A.S.T.R.O. Vikings began to see that sustaining access to FIRST programs required more than mentoring and events; it also depended on how after-school programs were funded and supported at the district level in their region.

Working with Alamogordo Public Schools, team members helped share participation data, program cost estimates, and student perspectives as the district explored ways to expand out-of-school STEM learning opportunities. Their collaboration played a major role in shaping the districting’s application for funding from the New Mexico Public Education Department and the federal U.S. Department of Education, translating student outreach into concrete planning and decision-making.

A.S.T.R.O. Vikings pose with board members following an Alamogordo Public Schools board meeting in January 2026

As a result, new funding supported the launch of 10 new FIRST teams and the continued operation of three existing teams across the district. A.S.T.R.O. Vikings also helped reduce barriers to participation by advocating efforts that enabled funding for materials, coaching support, and transportation costs, allowing more students to access FIRST programs consistently.

"Seeing these programs exist—and thrive—because of our team’s efforts is incredibly meaningful,” says long-time FIRST participant, Kaz Kangas. “It’s one thing to advocate for funding, but it’s another to watch students across our community discover robotics, gain confidence, and develop real‑world skills because of opportunities we helped create. Knowing that our work directly contributed to the growth of FIRST in our region is one of the most rewarding parts of being A.S.T.R.O. Vikings."

Today, A.S.T.R.O. Vikings operates out of Alamogordo High School and hosts multiple robotics events on campus each year. Programs supported through the team’s outreach and advocacy efforts currently serve 146 students from pre-K through 12th grade, with participation open to students from multiple schools in the region.

Looking Ahead at the Governor’s Cup

On February 20–21, A.S.T.R.O. Vikings will represent New Mexico at the United States Governor’s Cup, joining 50 teams from across the country at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The event brings together student teams to showcase their technical skills, creativity, and real-world problem solving on a national stage.

Alamogordo Public Schools Communications Coordinator Michelle Birdeaux teaches A.S.T.R.O. Vikings students about letter writing and proper communication when drafting an invitation to their governor to the United States Governor’s Cup

To watch A.S.T.R.O. Vikings 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 teams showcase their creativity, confidence, and teamwork on the national stage.

To learn more above the United States Governor’s Cup, visit www.experiential.bot/govcup.