A FIRST Chesapeake mentor working on a robot beside two students

Rising Tides · Howard University · Washington, DC

Howard's mission, three miles from campus.

Howard students mentoring DC Public Schools robotics teams for a full season, from the first build night to the competition floor.

Bring Rising Tides to your campus

A mentor and students at work on a FIRST Robotics Competition robot

Howard mentors

Teams this season

2026-27

First season

18,912

VOLUNTEER HOURS IN FY26

Why Howard

A mentor who came from where they came from.

Since 1867, Howard University has prepared leaders in the heart of Washington, DC. Rising Tides puts that talent to work close to home, placing Howard students beside high school builders in the District's public schools.

MEET THE COHORT

Ten mentors. One season.

Mentor profiles are coming soon.

THE TEAMS

Where they mentor, and how it’s going.

Team pairings are announced at the start of the season.

BRING IT TO YOUR CAMPUS

Every campus has mentors waiting to be asked.

If your college or university wants to run Rising Tides, the next cohort starts with a short note.

Bring Rising Tides to your campus

Made possible by Google.org, Waymo, AWS and the Argosy Foundation, in partnership with DC Public Schools.