In recent years, the need to advance the number of individuals pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields has gained much attention. The Montgomery County/Virginia Tech Robotics Collaborative (MCVTRC), a yearlong high school robotics program housed in an educational shop facility in Montgomery County, Virginia, seeks to motivate students' interest in these fields. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to apply their science and math skills to robotics design through a series of short courses and to participate in an international robotics competition, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science Technology (FIRST). The high school robotics program capitalizes on the student excitement generated by participation in FIRST while providing an avenue for students to increase science-related skills (e.g., critical thinking) and self confidence. The MCVTRC program is a collaboration between students and faculty from Montgomery County Public Schools' four high schools, undergraduate and graduate students from engineering and related fields at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), and faculty from the university's School of Education and Department of Mechanical Engineering. This article describes a county-wide robotics program and its impact on student understanding. It also can serve as a model for other schools and districts that wish to implement similar programs. (Contains 2 figures.)