TOPS Student Builds Future in Robotics with Upcoming SkillsUSA Competition 

For Texas Online Preparatory School (TOPS) freshman Lily Amirlatifi, robotics has been more than a hobby, it’s a passion that has fueled her curiosity and shaped her academic journey. What started in middle school with a small LEGO robotics kit has now evolved into an ambitious project that’s preparing her for success in technology and engineering. 

Lily’s love for robotics began years ago when she joined her first robotics team at her former school in Mississippi. Her team went on to earn second place in the state’s LEGO Engineering competition, an experience that sparked her drive to continue building and coding. 

When Lily moved to Texas, she enrolled in TOPS to pursue a flexible education that would allow her to balance academics with her growing interest in robotics. With the support of her teacher, Mr. Joe Rizo, Lily and classmate Lynah Trevino (student at Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville) formed a new robotics team to compete in the SkillsUSA Urban Search and Rescue challenge in early 2026. 

Unlike typical robotics contests, this competition focuses on designing and programming a rescue robot capable of navigating disaster zones, detecting survivors, and delivering first aid supplies, tasks that mirror real-world emergency scenarios. The project challenges students to think creatively, collaborate, and problem-solve through hands-on engineering and coding. 

“This is a big step for us,” Lily said. “We’re building a robot that can operate on its own in complex environments. It’s exciting to know we’re working on something that could make a difference.” 

For Lily, the flexibility of online learning has been key. At her previous brick-and-mortar school, she had limited time for robotics, only about an hour every other day. At TOPS, she can complete her coursework ahead of schedule and dedicate more time to building, coding, and testing her robot. 

Lily is taking high school and college-level courses simultaneously and hopes to earn an associate degree by the time she graduates. She has also earned industry-based certificates (IBCs) such as Autodesk Inventor Certified User, and is hoping to earn JavaScript, and Autodesk Fusion 360 Certified user certificates this year, all through TOPS AP and CTE course offerings. Her family believes programs like the TOPS robotics initiative play an important role in preparing students for college and careers in STEM fields. 

“I am able learn skills that I will need as a professional and spend more time practicing these skills,” she continued. “One of my main goals in school has always been to be a few steps ahead and make the most of the opportunities I get, and TOPS helps me to achieve that.”  

“TOPS and K12 have gone above and beyond to support students like Lily,” said Amin Amirlatifi, Lily’s father. “These experiences not only build technical skills but also help students develop confidence, leadership, and creativity. We’d love to see more families take advantage of opportunities like this.” 

Lily’s story highlights how innovation, curiosity, and support can come together to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. With her passion for robotics and the flexibility of online learning, she’s proving that the future of STEM is bright, and it’s being built one robot at a time. 

Ready to give your student the flexibility to explore their passions and prepare for a future in STEM? Discover how Texas Online Preparatory School can help your child thrive academically while pursuing what they love.