FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hydro Hackers Triumph at FIRST NYC FLL Championship, Secure Spot at World Championship in Houston

New York City, NY – March 24, 2025 – The Hydro Hackers, an outstanding First Lego League (FLL) team from New York City, have emerged victorious at the 2025 FIRST NYC FLL Championship. Competing against 50 other talented teams, the Hydro Hackers clinched the top honor, winning the prestigious 1st Place Champion's Award. Their exceptional performance has earned them a coveted spot to represent New York City at the FIRST FLL World Championship in Houston, Texas, set to take place in mid-April 2025.

The Hydro Hackers demonstrated remarkable skills in innovation, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving throughout the competition, impressing judges with their innovative solutions and outstanding robot performance. Their victory at the NYC Championship is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and dedication to the FLL mission of inspiring youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

"We are incredibly proud of the Hydro Hackers for their hard work and perseverance," said Team Coach, Binlin Wu. "This team has gone above and beyond in every aspect of the competition. From designing an efficient robot to collaborating as a team, they’ve shown what it means to excel in FLL. We’re excited for them to represent New York City at the FIRST World Championship."

The Champion's Award is the highest honor given at the FLL competition, recognizing teams that exemplify excellence in all areas of the event, including robot design, project quality, and teamwork. The Hydro Hackers’ ability to combine technical skill with an inspiring passion for STEM earned them this prestigious distinction.

Now, with their sights set on the FIRST FLL World Championship in Houston, the Hydro Hackers are preparing to compete against the best teams from around the globe. This marks an incredible achievement in their FLL journey, and they are ready to showcase their innovation on the world stage.

“We’ve put in countless hours of practice and worked together as a team to overcome every challenge,” said Athanasia. “Winning this award and having the chance to represent NYC at the World Championship is a dream come true, and we can’t wait to bring our ideas and passion for robotics to Houston.”

The Hydro Hackers' success serves as a reminder of the power of STEM education and the incredible potential of young minds when given the resources and support to innovate. Their achievement is a proud moment for NYC and highlights the importance of fostering curiosity, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in future generations of engineers and scientists.

For more information about the Hydro Hackers and their journey to the FIRST FLL World Championship, please contact Coach Helen Kartsonis at info@foresthillslego.com or visit www.HydroHackers.com