The Red Hawk Robotics program provides hands-on learning experiences in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) to students in Melrose. The program supports a Melrose High School team (FRC), a Middle School team (VEX), and several teams in the elementary schools (FLL). Each year, these teams participate in various competitions across the region. They use science and technology to build robots designed for specific tasks, based on the theme of the competition. The program is part of the national organization, US FIRST (For Inspiration of Science and Technology), founded in 1989. The goal of the program is "to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well- rounded life capabilities, including self-confidence, communication, and leadership".
