Join a team of high school students dedicated to furthering their STEM skills in the First Robotics Competition.

If you have any questions regarding the program or the team, contact us on enquiries@thedropbears.org.au 

Expression of Interest Now Closed!

Our expression of interest for joining the team in the 2025 season is now closed. Please check back next year in September-October

What Happened In 2023?

  • Build Season started on 8 January 2023 with the kick off meeting in which the team reviewed the game for 2023
  • 8 weeks of intensive planning, design, prototyping, building and programming followed, ending with a great robot
  • Australian Southern Cross Regional competition was in Wollongong at the WIN Entertainment centre. It was comprised of three days:
    • Friday March 10: Practice day
    • Saturday March 11: Opening, Qualifying
    • Sunday March 12: Qualifying, Playoffs, Closing Ceremony and Awards
  • With our alliance of Koalified (6996) and Embers (7583), we did extremely well and placed 3rd overall.
  • The team also competed in the Dual Down Under (DDU) and was part of the winning alliance with Barker Redbacks (4613) and ARTEMIS (5876).
DDU Alliance Photo (Left to Right) ARTEMIS (5876), Barker Redbacks (4613) and The Drop Bears (4774)
Southern Cross Regional Alliance Photo (Left to Right) Koalified (6996), The Drop Bears (4774) and Embers (7583)

What We Do

Design

Design a robot and all included modules using online parametric 3D modelling platform Onshape

Program

Write code in Python allow the robot to complete all necessary tasks, including autonomous operation

Build

Use engineering skills to construct and fabricate a robot that meets functional requirements

Schedule

Design and manufacture a robot within a 6 to 8 weeks time frame

Competition

Compete against over 3000 teams worldwide in both regional and international locations

Outreach

Engage and recruit high school students from across the Sydney region and manage team social media and sponsorship

“We’d love for you to join us on this journey.”

“A founding member of the team Ian has been an enthusiastic Drop Bear for almost a decade. Now a professional working in robotics he is excited to give back as a mentor to the next generation of students.”
ian thomas

Head Mentor, 2022 – 2023
“After 6 years of committed, passionate and successful leadership James has handed the role of head mentor over. I am proud to have been with the team for the last 7 years and look forward to guide and mentor the team into the future at The University of Sydney.”
ANDREAS HEINTZE

Head Mentor, 2019 – 2022
“The University of Sydney and The Australian Centre for Robotics is proud to have hosted The Drop Bears for the last 7 years. It's also personally gratifying to help students discover their passion for STEM subjects, and apply their passion in a way that goes beyond what they could do at school.”
Dr James Ward
Australian Centre for Robotics at the University of Sydney
Head Mentor, 2013 – 2019, 2024 – Present