FIRST Tech Challenge or FTC is a team competition, where students design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.
Guided by coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.
This year's game theme, Into the Deep, challenges teams to design robots capable of diving into the ocean's depths to uncover its mysteries and marvels. The FTC season features four meets beginning in November, where scores accumulate over the season to determine qualification for the League Championship. At the meets, each team participates in five matches. Teams are paired with an alliance and compete in 2-and-a-half-minute matches, working together to score points in each round.
Last week, teams from Frenship Middle School and Heritage Middle School participated in the latest FTC Meet. Each school took two teams to compete head-to-head against other middle and high school teams in the area.
Kim Thomson, the HMS FTC coach stated this year has been a team rebuilding year as they have brought in 12 new team members. Throughout the season they have focused on collaboration, management, teamwork, and communication. She stated that it has been a joy to watch the improvement from meet to meet.
“Robotics takes trial and error, joy and heartache, tenacity and a willingness to keep trying new things,” said Thomson. “Robotics is a true definition of resilience, perseverance, and determination.”
At Frenship Middle School, the FTC coaches are in their third season and are still relatively new to the program. Despite their short experience, Molly Brown and Meagan Smith have led their two teams to a top 10 ranking out of 34 teams.
Brown explained that their teams had fantastic matches at the recent meet, excelling in the rankings. The teams continue to develop new skills and grow both individually and as a group.
“Even when things don't go quite as planned, they've been doing wonderful at going with the flow on things and improving what needs to be fixed from meet to meet,” said Brown. “We are extremely proud of this group and their growth this year and can't wait to see where it takes them!”
Both middle school programs are working diligently to prepare for the final meet on February 8, which will determine the teams advancing to the championships later in the month. The teams will face off not only against other area middle schools but also high school teams.
The FTC students continue to sharpen their programming and building skills as they look forward to the conclusion of the season and beyond.
Good luck students!