FIRST Robotics Competition
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
What is FRC?
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be.
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals.
FIRST redefines winning for these students because they are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.
What is unique about the FRC program?
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be.
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals.
FIRST redefines winning for these students because they are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.
What is unique about the FRC program?
- It is a sport where the participants play with the pros and learn from them
- Designing and building a robot is a fascinating real-world professional experience
- Competing on stage brings participants as much excitement and adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments
- The game rules are a surprise every year
The pictures above are my Upper school students hard at work preparing for their FIRST Robotics competitions. The bottom-left picture is my robotics students with our fifth grade buddies from the room next door to my classroom. The fifth graders were always walking by wondering what these big kids were doing making all that noise. So, we invited them over and showed them what we were doing. As a result, the fifth graders made posters in support of my robotics team and wanted their pictures taken with them. The student body, K - 12, has really embraced the robotics program on campus.
Description of FIRST Robotics is provided by the FIRST organization.
VEX Robotics
8th Grade Physical Science
The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These are just a few of the many fields students can explore by creating with VEX Robotics technology. Beyond science and engineering principles, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. It also allows educators to easily customize projects to meet the level of students’ abilities. The affordable VEX platform is expanding rapidly and is now found in middle schools, high schools and university labs around the globe. Robotics hobbyists also appreciate the advanced capabilities of the VEX System.
Eighth grade Physical Science students hard at work completing their Canyon Extraction and Crane projects.
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The Crane Project required students to employ gear trains to lift a seven pound dumbell a total of seven inches. Most students chose to use gear trains, however, some did not and were still successful, as the above videos demonstrate.
Description of VEX Robotics courtesy of VEX Robotics Design System.