On Monday morning, a coach bus pulled away from Great Neck South High School, beginning a roughly 1,500-mile journey to Houston, Texas. On board were about 40 students, a 125-pound robot, a 3D printer and months of preparation packed into toolboxes and laptops. A few miles away, 17 students from Great Neck North High School spent the day preparing for their Tuesday flight to the same destination.
Both teams are headed to the FIRST World Championships, an international robotics competition that draws top student teams from around the globe. It marks the first time both Great Neck schools have qualified in the same season, a milestone for the district’s growing STEM programs.
For North High’s team, aka The Goatbusters, the trip is a first.
“This is something new for our program,” said Coach Michael McDermott. “The students are excited, but they also understand the level they’re stepping into. After qualifying, they kept working and refining because they want to be ready.”
Founded in 2007, South High’s team, Rebel Robotics, has made multiple appearances on the world stage. This year about 40 students will represent the 100-member program, filling roles beyond building the robot, such as programming, scouting, outreach, and media.
Both teams compete under the umbrella of FIRST—For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology—but in different divisions. South High participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition, which features larger robots and fast-paced matches. North High competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge, where smaller robots demand precision design and strategy.
Read More: Great Neck school board adopts $297M budget, explores full-day pre-K
This season marked a shift for The Goatbusters. For the first time, students designed their robot entirely from scratch using computer-aided design software, moving away from pre-fabricated kits used in previous years.
Great Neck North High School’s robotic team—The Goatbusters.Great Neck Public Schools
“They took ownership of the entire process,” McDermott said. “From the design to the adjustments after competitions, everything was student-driven.”
That approach helped carry the team through an undefeated season on Long Island and a championship win that secured their place in Houston. Even after qualifying, students continued refining their robot, making changes to improve flexibility and scoring.
South High also found success this season, earning Excellence in Engineering awards at regional competitions. Their robot features a system that collects and launches game pieces while in motion, using cameras and programming to stay aligned with targets.
The scale of the world championship is difficult to capture. Held at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, the event brings together hundreds of teams and tens of thousands of attendees. Competitions unfold over several days, with teams divided into divisions before advancing toward a final round.
“There’s a lot going on all at once,” said South High Coach John Motchkavitz. “You have teams from all over the world, and the environment is loud and energetic. It feels closer to a sporting event than people might expect.”
Beyond the competition, both coaches emphasized the broader impact on students.
“We always tell them the robot is just one part of it,” Motchkavitz said. “What they’re really gaining are the skills that come with it: communication, confidence, problem-solving.”
Students often discover new strengths through the program, whether in engineering, leadership or teamwork.
“There’s a role for every student,” Motchkavitz said. “And over time, you see them grow into those roles.”
Great Neck North Great Neck North Goatbusters showcase thier robot at the 2026 NY International Auto show at the Jacob Javits Center .Photo Provided by John Motchkavitz
The programs are supported by a combination of school resources, sponsors and community fundraising. Robotics competitions require significant funding, and both teams rely on that support to travel and compete.
That backing extends beyond finances. About 40 parents and family members are expected to travel to Houston, joining the crowds to cheer for the teams.
For the South High students, the 1,500-mile trek is more than just a commute; it’s a curated educational road trip. The 2-1/2-day journey includes a stop at the University of Alabama to visit the stadium, as well as a detour through Louisiana. For many students, the trip offers a series of firsts: crossing the Mississippi River, seeing the Southern swamps, and even trying Cajun crawfish at a local roadside spot.
“They each come back with something different,” Motchkavitz said. “For some, it’s the matches. For others, it’s the trip and the time spent together. Whether it’s the experience in the hotel or a specific restaurant, those are the moments they remember.”
The Rebel Robotics Team from Great Neck High School poses with their robot in front of the Capitol Building in
Washington, D.C., on their way home from the Rocket City Regional in Huntsville, Ala. Great Neck Public Schools
By the time the print edition is published Thursday, both teams will be in the midst of competition, facing some of the top student robotics programs in the world.
For the educators leading the trip, the true “final product” isn’t made of aluminum or electronics. “One thing we always say is that the students don’t just build the robot; the robot builds the student,” Motchkavitz said. Whether they return to Great Neck with a trophy or simply a collection of stories from the road, the students head home with a newfound sense of leadership, problem-solving skills, and a global perspective that will last far longer than any single season.
Read More: Great Neck school board race set with two incumbents, two challengers