NILES — After achieving the semifinalist title in a VEX robotics competition in Iowa earlier this year, local robotics team 4911A High Voltage was selected to compete July 22 in Wu Han, China through an exchange program. But to get there, the local robotics team is going to need some support from the community to raise $15,000 in travel funds.

The funds will cover air fare and other travel expenses for three youth from the team and one adult. In addition to taking part in the three-day competition, students will also tour some parts of the country.

Sixteen-year-old Sam Jager, of Stevensvile, said the opportunity will be a chance to represent their Michiana community at an international level.

“It would be an amazing experience just to go to China, let alone to compete there,” Jager said. “We have never had an opportunity like this to compete.”

Similar to the internationally known FIRST Robotics completion, students are tasked with creating a robot that can complete certain tasks. For the VEX competition in China, the team will have to use its STEM knowledge to program a robot to use balls to move flags and place caps on top of posts.

The team has already received some help from the Niles community. A portion of proceeds from the carnival rides at the Niles Family Fun Fair and Bluegrass/Americana Music Festival went toward the cause.

The youth are also planning to reach out to local businesses to see if they can get more sponsors.

Jager is a seasoned VEX competitor, who has competed for the last five years in VEX. The youth group is led by parent volunteers Meg and Dave Edwards. The team meets regularly to practice and code their robot at the Brandywine Innovation Academy, students across Berrien County make up the team.

“I’ve learned a ton,” Jager said. “I’ve learned how to manage my time better and program robots. It is a great experience.”

Fellow 4911A High Voltage teammate Trent Dickey, 14, of Niles agreed.

“It’s a good way to learn how to build a high-quality robot,” Dickey said.

In addition to feeding his passion for STEM, Jager said the robotics team has given him skills he can apply to the job industry. He encouraged the community to donate and support the learning opportunity that competing in China will provide.

“This is inspiring young people into STEM fields and that is important,” Jager said.

While the students won’t necessarily come away with a trophy, should they be able to compete, the opportunity will be one they won’t soon forget.

“It is certainly bragging rights, that’s for sure,” Jager said. “I was really surprised they invited us, but excited for the opportunity to be able to go.”

To help, anyone who wants to contribute can donate to Michiana Youth Robotics by visiting a Teachers Credit Union. A Go Fund Me page is also available at gofundme.com/5g5jfw. The team must raise the money by the end of June.