The Journey to 2022 FIRST Championships: Part 2
In Part 1, I discussed the roadmap to getting to 2022 FIRST World Championships. Now, in Part 2, the excitement level really kicks up with competition time! This year the …
Carmen McIntyre
The Journey to 2022 FIRST Championships: Part 1
“We’re back!” Those were the first words the emcee spoke at the 2022 FIRST Championships in Houston, Texas, this past April. It had been three long years since the last …
Robotics Challenges in the Time of COVID – Part 2
In Part 1, we discussed the challenges of virtual collaboration and fundraising for the past season of FIRST robotics. In this Part 2, lets discuss the challenges of competition and community outreach.
Participating in competitions themselves has been very different. The main draw of robotics for students each season is to compete, of course. Our competitions are always a fun and exciting time. The energy is infectious. It’s where all our hard work pays off.
Robotics Challenges in the Time of COVID – Part 1
Most people who know me know I have a passion for FIRST Robotics. During the school year, much of my free time is spent volunteering in one way or another, from planning to coaching to mentoring to judging and beyond. I spend a good portion of my vacation hours traveling to competitions in places such as Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan. I feel that the values and skills young people learn as a part of these programs are invaluable and lessons that they will carry with them through high school, college and life beyond. I am so honored to be a part of this program.
My Journey to FIRST World Championships in Detroit
My initial exposure to FIRST robotics came when my son joined the Cedar Falls High School robotics team as a sophomore back in 2012. At that time, I thought it would be a fun little activity for him to be involved with. I really had no idea what being a part of a FIRST team meant. Boy, have I come a long way.
Now, seven years later, I do know what it means. As it turns out, there is nothing “little” about it. It is the most….
