What is First?
FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology". It is a international organization devoted to helping students understand the wonders of Science and Technology. Their vision is "…to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
FIRST currently has four programs up and running; Jr. First Lego League (ages 6 – 9), First Lego League (ages 9 -13), First Tech Challenge (high school), and FIRST Robotics Competition (high school). Every year, a new challenge is given to each of these programs and a new robot must be built and programmed for a team to succeed.
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For more information on FIRST and its programs, visit www.usfirst.org.
Gracious Professionalism
Gracious Professionalism is one of the things that makes FIRST programs different from others.
“With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.”
FTC
FTC (First Tech Challenge) is the FIRST robotics program designed for grades 9 – 12. It is the challenge the Winds of Thor are currently working on. It involves building a robot using a LEGO NXT brain brick, Plexigas, plastic, sheet metal, and pre-made metal Tetrix pieces. Teams must document and explain every part of their journey through a detailed Engineering Notebook. The robots they create must then compete with and against others in a unique (and yearly changing!) game. Teams must work their way up through qualifying and championship tournaments until they reach their ultimate goal: the nationals in St Louis, Missouri. Overall, it is huge game of learning, design, programming, technology, teamwork, and fun.
FTC Core Values
We are a team.
We do the work to get the job done with guidance from our coaches and mentors.
We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
What we learn is more important than what we win.
We share our experiences with others.
We display gracious professionalism in everything we do.
We have fun.