Catholic Central’s Robotics Camp concluded today with a friendly competition between campers, each showcasing the robots they built and programmed throughout the week. 

The camp, led by CC Robotics teacher Joe Lemieux, introduced students to the fundamentals of engineering, coding, and problem-solving. It was held June 24–29, from 9 a.m. to noon, on the Catholic Central campus for students in grades 6 through 9.

Throughout the week, students worked in small teams to design, assemble, and test their robots. The final day featured a series of simple challenges that tested each team’s design and driving skills in a fun, low-pressure environment. Families and staff were invited to watch, and students left with a sense of accomplishment and a greater interest in robotics and STEM.

Catholic Central’s robotics team, the CC Shambots, competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Over the past few seasons, the team has steadily grown in both size and success. Most recently, they placed 12th out of 75 teams at the 2025 FIRST Championship in Houston, marking their strongest performance to date.

Led by Coach Joe Lemieux, who has been with the program since its founding, the Shambots focus on more than just competition. The team emphasizes mentorship, technical skill development, and outreach. A second team, the Shambytes, was recently created to offer new students an entry point into robotics. In their first season, the Shambytes qualified for the Michigan State Championship and earned Rookie All-Star and Rookie Inspiration awards.

Robotics at Catholic Central is open to students of all experience levels. Summer camps, club activities, and the competition teams provide multiple entry points for students interested in engineering, computer science, and teamwork. The Robotics Camp is just one way the program encourages younger students to explore STEM in a supportive environment.

For more information about Catholic Central Robotics, visit ccshambots.com or our STEM program page.