Routing #: 325183233
Routing #: 325183233
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TAPCO Credit Union Partners with IDEA High School to Launch First Annual Tacoma Robotics Competition

TACOMA, WA – January 15, 2026 – TAPCO Credit Union proudly announces its partnership with the students of Tacoma Public Schools’ High School Robotics Team to produce the first annual Tacoma Robotics Expo. The event, to be held at the Fircrest Community Center in Fircrest, Washington on February 21st, 2026, will provide students of all ages throughout the Tacoma area with an opportunity to see how they can become more involved in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and drones. 

“We teach our students that technology is changing the world around them,” said Rich Williams, lead mentor for the robotics team and robotics instructor at IDEA. “What is harder is helping them see those changes happening in their own community. The Tacoma Robotics Expo brings together leaders from government, business, education, and recreation to show students that the future is not just happening somewhere else. It is happening right here in Tacoma.” 

Richard Stirgus, Vice President of Community Relations for TAPCO Credit Union, praised the students’ leadership in bringing the event to life. 

“TAPCO is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Tacoma Robotics Expo,” Stirgus said. “As a credit union rooted in Tacoma, helping people build for the future is central to who we are. Supporting this event is about more than one day or one school. It is about expanding access to opportunity and inspiring the next generation of innovators right here in our community”. 

Visitors to the event will be able to interact with a wide variety of robots, including Boston Dynamics Spot® Robot Dogs, R2-D2 droids, bomb disposal robots used by the Tacoma Police Department, indoor flyable drones, robots built by the competitive teams at IDEA and the University of Washington, and many more. There will also be vendors, kids’ events, and interactive demonstrations. 

Event Details 

About IDEA High School 

The school of Industrial Design, Engineering, and Art (IDEA) was established in 2016, joining the School of the Arts (SOTA) and the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) as Tacoma’s three partner schools with Elements of Education. At IDEA, students with special interest in technology fields like robotics are able to take classes focusing on engineering science. The school is currently located at the old Park Elementary School building, with a new facility to be completed and open to students in 2028.  

About SOTAbots 

The robotics team, known as the SOTAbots in recognition of its founding at the School of the Arts, has competed in the national FIRST Robotics Competition since 2006. The team has consistently won regional accolades, and last year one of its students was one of ten international winners of the competition’s highest individual honor. Participation in the team is not limited to IDEA students, and currently features members from four Tacoma and Gig Harbor high schools. Students interested in joining should reach out to their high school guidance counselors or email [email protected].