Young engineers will test designs at Robotics Competition this weekend

Laura Leonard
·2 min read

Young techies start the new year with a day of robots, competition, and fun at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Technical Challenge Meet and FIRST Robotics Competition Kick-off on Jan. 7 at the FSU-FAMU College of Engineering.

Young engineers from the Panhandle and Big Bend will begin competing at 10 a.m. They have been working since September designing and building robots to meet the challenges of POWER PLAYSM by Raytheon Technologies —an energy-themed game.

FIRST Tech Challenge teams compete on a standardized field with robots they create and program.
FIRST Tech Challenge teams compete on a standardized field with robots they create and program.

FIRST Technical Challenge is way more than building robots. Teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.

Three Tallahassee teams will participate in the FTC Meet. The Purple Axolotls from Lincoln High School will be joined by The Imposters and Legacy, a part of Tally Robotics, a local non profit promoting STEAM education through FIRST Robotics programs. A total of 10-12 teams from the AeroCoast League will be competing.

High school students from the Southeast compete in the FIRST Robotics regional competition at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
High school students from the Southeast compete in the FIRST Robotics regional competition at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

“Watching the confidence that my daughter has developed as part of her team, The Imposters, has been one of my greatest joys as a mom. She’s learning, not only about engineering but important skills like teamwork and perseverance,” said Katrina McMillan, parent and FTC coach.

The day will also feature the FIRST Robotics Competition 2023 Season Kick-Off. At noon FRC teams will gather for the Kickoff Stream. Kickoff sparks the start of the 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition season, CHARGED UPSM presented by Haas. Join FIRST faves from around the world, Founder Dean Kamen, CEO Chris Moore, and special guests via Livestream as we reveal the CHARGED UP game animation and other game and season details.

Several teams of high school students with FIRST Inspires (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) move their robot during the FRC Kickoff Event at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in January 2022. This year's event takes place Jan. 7.
Several teams of high school students with FIRST Inspires (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) move their robot during the FRC Kickoff Event at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in January 2022. This year's event takes place Jan. 7.

Under strict rules, with limited time and resources, FIRST Robotics Competition teams use sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed, alliance-based game on a themed field.

With professional mentors and sponsors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills that they can apply to real-world situations today and in the future. Each team creates a team identity, raises funds to meet its goals, and works to promote STEM in its community.

High school students from the Southeast compete in the FIRST Robotics regional competition at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
High school students from the Southeast compete in the FIRST Robotics regional competition at the Al Lawson Center on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

To empower young people to be leaders and innovators, this year’s energy theme addresses global challenges related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7: focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Tally Robotics was founded in 2013 with one LEGO Robotics team. They sponsor five LEGO teams, two FIRST Technical Challenge teams (7th-12th grade), and one FIRST Robotics Competition team (9th-12th grade). TallyRobotics provides and promotes educational and competitive opportunities for children and teens in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

For more information, contact Laura Leonard at Tally Robotics or email info@tallyrobotics.org.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Young engineers test savvy at Robotics Competition at FSU-FAMU College