SWM Technologies, a Pampa-based oil and gas manufacturing company, enthusiastically donated $8,000 to support The Well’s high school robotics team. This group generally competes in four competitions at AMTECH Robotics Arena in Amarillo each year, but 2026 proved different as they advanced to the regional championship in Lubbock for the first time in The Well’s history. This season the team has received impressive recognition in the form of a first place control award for their technical programming along with a second place design award.
This recent and generous sponsorship was a way to support the students at The Well in their pursuit of technical skills. The long-term benefit of promoting this area of education is to give the upcoming generation a knowledge base that will prepare them to thrive in the type of work environment SWM offers. Isaiah Anderson, who has been competing in robotics for three years claims, “programming will be very good for helping me get a job in the future.” Additionally, senior Micah Hill adds, “I’ve definitely learned a lot more about 3D printing, which has been extra helpful this year. The teamwork that I’ve used over the years in robotics will help me be able to formulate and execute ideas faster.”
Ben Matthews, the company CEO, initiated this connection the previous year when he reached out to The Well’s director, Paul Rayburn, to offer the support of SWM trusting that, “the robotics team was a great way for SWM to partner with a group of students seeking to go above and beyond in their technical education.” The funding was used to purchase new equipment for this year’s competition season.
The Well has been offering robotics programs since they opened in 2016. However it has gradually grown from solely middle school LEGO-based systems. It has adapted to include Tech Challenge, a division of First Robotics, a world-wide organization. This requires students to use more advanced computer programming and construct robots out of metal components. This year The Well has seven high school students participating in competitions. Robotics creates opportunities moving forward for students who engage in it from preparation for employment at companies like SWM, to problem solving skills that can be applied in numerous areas of life. These types of benefits are already visible in the life of robotics team member, James Carr, who was offered a job opportunity at SWM. The connection between SWM and The Well will hopefully continue to benefit both groups moving forward.
Rayburn expressed, “I am so grateful for the support of SWM and how our students performed. This year is a significant building block in our program’s development. They will only be more successful in the years to come.” The robotics team paid a visit to SWM in February to demonstrate the capabilities of their robot, and express their gratitude. Matthews stated, “all of us were extremely impressed that a group of students built and programmed a robot to accomplish so many tasks.” SWM Technologies plans to continue to support and build their relationship with The Well, partnering to raise up a new generation of innovators.
