FIRST ROBOTICS: IT'S WHAT WE DO
Wait for It participates in FIRST Robotics, specifically, a program called FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). FIRST's mission is, as stated by its founder, Dean Kamen:
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." FIRST Tech Challenge, or FTC, is summed up on FIRST's website as follows: "The FIRST Tech Challenge is more than a robotics program. We are a community focused on building a better world for tomorrow by engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). FTC is about teaching students the value of hard work, innovation and creativity. It goes beyond competition by teaching teenagers the importance of working together, sharing ideas and treating each other with respect and dignity. "Is FTC a robotics program? Yes, but it is so much more." I think that, as a team, we can personally attest to the last statement made: "Is FTC a robotics program? Yes, but it is so much more." We have attained many skills through not only FIRST Tech Challenge, but also through FIRST LEGO League: skills that can be applied to everyday life and not just robotics, skills like strategy, drafting, using various tools, and problem-solving (to name a few.) And, not to mention, it's pretty fun too. |