Robotics team preps for FIRST robotics competition

Center Moriches High School Robotics Team 4458, Infernobotix, annually participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team is currently preparing for this year’s upcoming game, REBUILT, which will be announced Jan. 10.

Team 4458, Infernobotix, is Center Moriches High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team founded in 2013 and has competed in FIRST’s annual competition ever since. The students organize and run the entire team with mentor guidance.

“Through the challenges of each season, students learn to persevere, communicate, and think creatively under pressure,” said mentor James Spinaris. “They gain confidence as they take ownership of their ideas, learn to break down complex problems, and see a project through from concept to competition. They learn what it means to put their heart and soul into something investing the time, energy, and passion required to create a robot they can be proud of.”

FIRST is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for STEM education through its robotics and outreach programs. It has an international reach with over 3,000 teams that annually compete in their robotics competitions.

“In these competitions, teams are expected to fundraise for, design, and build a robot that can complete a series of challenges presented in a game format,” explained the team’s treasurer and sophomore, Matthew Quarltere. “Once it is announced, we will have eight weeks to prepare a robot to compete in tournament-style matches against other robots.”

Last season, he said, they competed in a game called REEFSCAPE; the goal was to take coral from the coral station and place it on one of the four levels of the reef. Teams could also take algae from the reef and either place it in the processor or place it in the barge. During the last 20 seconds of the game, teams could climb on their cage for even more points, he explained.

During the 2025 season, they also attended the FIRST Long Island Regional, where they were ranked No. 6  out of 48 teams. They also attended the New York Tech Valley Regional, where they ranked No. 5 out of 56. During Qualification Match No. 66 of the New York Tech Valley Regional, they had their highest score of the season, with 201 points.

FIRST Robotics Competition puts students from grades 9 through 12 under strict rules and time constraints, where they are challenged to raise funds and build their team “brand” to create industrial-sized robots which compete in collaborative challenges against likeminded competitors.

“A key factor in team success is our ability to raise funds and gain access to materials. While we do receive support from our school district, external sponsors are always a necessity,” Quarltere explained, seeking the community’s help. “There are many fees that our team has to pay, including robot materials, tools for manufacturing, team registration, transportation to competition, and more.”

The team is currently seeking sponsorships for their 2026 season. Donations for sponsorships include: Tier 1 - $250-Recognition as a sponsor for 4458 online and at FIRST events; Tier 2 - $500; Tier 1 plus: Company logo printed on pins handed out at competitions; Tier 3 - $1000; Tier 2 plus: Company logo printed on competition shirts, Thank you basket with competition shirts; Tier 4 - $2000; Tier 3 plus: Company logo on our 2026 robot, Tier 5 - $5000+; and Tier 4 plus: Featured as Title Sponsor at all events, and demonstration of our robot at sponsor facility.

According to the program, students that participate in FIRST programs have a heightened interest in STEM and business fields.

“When a company sponsors a robotics team, they are not just sponsoring a group of kids, but they are investing into the next generation of engineers and business people,” the team said.

The team also welcomes material donations, manufacturing help, or other opportunities. For questions about the team or sponsoring email: team4458infernorobotics@gmail.com or call: (631) 338-1295.