A Rapid City robotics team is preparing to represent South Dakota on the world stage—but they need the community’s help to get there. 🚀

Rapid Acceleration Team 4593, the Black Hills area’s only team competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition, has qualified for the 2026 FIRST World Championship in Houston. The event runs April 29 through May 2, and the team is racing to raise $30,000 in less than two weeks to make the trip possible.

Representing South Dakota on the Global Stage

Rapid Acceleration Team 4593 earned its World Championship invitation after strong performances at regional competitions in Grand Forks and Denver, where the team placed third in both events. Out of more than 3,700 teams worldwide, the Rapid City-based group is currently ranked 249th, an impressive achievement that highlights both technical skill and teamwork.

Even more remarkable: the team is South Dakota’s only representative in the FIRST Robotics Competition at the championship level this season.

For students like Matthew Flanegan and his teammates, the opportunity is about more than competition—it’s a chance to showcase local innovation, represent their state, and connect with some of the brightest young engineering minds in the world. 🌎🤖

More Than Robots: Building Future Leaders

FIRST, founded in 1989, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Its programs combine hands-on robotics challenges with leadership development, business planning, and collaboration.

Rapid Acceleration Team 4593 reflects that mission locally through its own guiding purpose:

“To provide an inspiring environment that fosters growth and appreciation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields and business management through a strong relationship between mentors, students and sponsors.”

Participation in FIRST programs has been shown to increase students’ confidence, teamwork skills, and interest in STEM careers—making the experience transformative both inside and outside the classroom.

A Short Timeline, A Big Goal

Traveling to the World Championship involves transporting equipment, coordinating lodging, and covering registration and travel expenses for team members and mentors. Altogether, the trip will cost approximately $30,000, and the deadline is approaching quickly.

Community support will determine whether Rapid Acceleration Team 4593 can take its place among the world’s top robotics teams later this month.

“This is such a huge honor for them to be able to go and represent South Dakota and their robot,” organizers shared. “Would you be willing to support South Dakota’s only FIRST Robotics team?”

How to Help

Community members and businesses can support the team in several ways:

Every contribution helps students like Matthew Flanegan and his teammates bring Rapid City—and South Dakota—to the international robotics stage. 💡

With strong regional finishes already behind them and a World Championship invitation in hand, Rapid Acceleration Team 4593 is ready to compete. Now, they just need their community to help power the journey.