TEAM DUCT TAPE

 What’s so unusual about Team 2845?

FIRST Tech Challenge is a relatively new FIRST Foundation robotics program, and typically associated with a high school. Team 2845 is unique in its community based focus, open to public, private and homeschooled youth from the Odessa, FL area who otherwise might not have access to higher level math, science and technology programs.

 What is the FIRST Tech Challenge?

The FIRST Tech Challenge is a mid-level robotics competition for high-school-aged students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. The ultimate goal of FTC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering. This year’s challenge is called Hot Shot!

Who participates in the competition?

In 2008, 73,000 FIRST volunteers worked with nearly 160,000 youth from every U.S. state and 37countries. FIRST Tech Challenge is FIRSTs fastest growing program, with 8,000 students participating in nearly 800 teams. Each team is comprised of professional mentors and a maximum of 10 high-school-aged students. The program is flexible in structure, allowing teams to form within the school or home-school environment, as an after-school program, with a neighborhood group, or as part of any youth-based organization. 

Where do events take place?

Tournaments are held throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

What do the students win?

Teams compete for a series of awards honoring accomplishments in areas including engineering, design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship, and high-impact partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities. A judging committee of distinguished professionals makes award decisions. The most prestigious award is the FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award, a peer- and formal-judged award that honors the team that performs well in all categories, is viewed by other teams as the most desirable alliance partner, and is viewed by judges as best exemplifying all components of the FIRST Tech Challenge philosophy. 

What are other benefits to participating?

A team of researchers at the Center for Youth Development at Brandeis University conducted an evaluation of the 2006 pilot season that included observation of the events and interviews with teams and their coaches/mentors. Both team leaders and team members assessed the program positively:

 *90% or more reported that the program had increased participants understanding of basic science principles, how technology could be used to solve real-world problems, and team members’ understanding of the engineering design process.

*93% of participants reported wanting to learn more about science and technology.

• *80% or more of participants reported increased interest in science and technology careers and doing well in school.
• 74% of team leaders participated as a way to get young people involved in science and technology.

 FTC motivates students just becoming familiar with basic concepts in science, math, and technology. The program effectively engages students from various backgrounds, instilling new ideas and concepts in more experienced students, while helping to inspire, motivate, and encourage learning basic principles and skills among students with less experience. Through their FIRST involvement, students also learn about important, life-long team skills such as planning, research, collaboration, mentorship, and teamwork.

 Who are some of the organizations that sponsor FIRST?  

Some of the world’s most respected companies provide funding, mentorship time and talent, volunteerism, and equipment to make FIRST a reality. Major sponsors include NASA, E.M. Kauffman Foundation, NIST, Johnson & Johnson, Autodesk, BAE Systems, United Technologies Corporation, Microchip, Annenberg Foundation, FedEx, and GM Foundation, among many others.

How does the education community support FIRST?

FIRST provides an education and career path for young people who might not otherwise have discovered an interest in and pursued education and careers in science and technology. FIRST works closely with schools at every level to transform both the perception and reality of education in science and technology. Some of the finest engineering colleges and universities support FIRST by providing scholarship opportunities, sponsoring teams, providing mentorship, equipment, and facilities. As a result of the support of these colleges and universities, 2007 FIRST students are eligible for nearly $8 million in scholarship funds to pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering, and math.

 How do individuals support FIRST?

The FIRST Annual Fund provides vital unrestricted funds to support the FIRST organization. FIRST is truly grateful for the generosity of individuals, companies, and matching gift programs that support operations and help FIRST design, implement, evaluate, and improve programs.

How can I be part of Team Duct Tape?

Go to our Be Part of Team Duct Tape page to learn more! 

If you’d like to support Team 2845, email us at info@learningis4everyone.org