We’ve all heard the demands that the United States needs more highly trained professionals with the technical aptitude for tomorrow’s jobs. You’ve probably heard of the popular FIRST Robotics Competition that makes technical learning fun for school-aged kids. The events look and sound more like sporting events.
In this new 2024 season of competition, add in the color and splash of the arts – and it’s not just STEM, but STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math – inspiring robotics competitions!
In this world of acronyms and catchy branding, FIRST means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Each year, FIRST promotes a fun theme, with this year’s incorporating STEAM with #FIRSTINSHOW and #CRESCENDO concepts.
Unveiled on January 6 is the specific challenge and availability of the official Kit of Parts that each team around the nation can use to build their potentially award-winning robot.
Solar Alliance is excited to support three East Tennessee FIRST robotics high school teams for the upcoming 2024 season. These are the Secret City Wildbots of Oak Ridge, the Austin-East RoboRunners and the Hardin Valley Academy RoHAWKtics.
The official FIRST unveiling launches all these teams into a busy start of inventing, problem-solving, troubleshooting and preparing for competitions that rival any athletic event around.
This year when their original robotic creations complete challenges on the field, will robots be playing guitars, painting or dancing? Who knows? Best of luck to all three of these high school teams.
If your business or community group would like to become a featured sponsor of a robotics team, search here for one in East Tennessee. They can always use more financial support and mentorship of various kinds.
Anne Brock is marketing coordinator for Solar Alliance, which designs and manages solar installation projects for large manufacturers and small businesses. Info: 865-221-8349.