April 15-19, 2020 - Houston Convention Center
ROBOFEST
April 4th, 2020 • 9:30am-1pm
at the Mandeville Trailhead
Come discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology as all levels of FIRST robotics show off their robots. See what robotic opportunities are right here on the Northshore.
FIRST RISE 2020
If you could build a better world? Where would you begin?
More than ever, we must come together to innovate and solve problems. In FIRST, you are part of a thriving community brimming with inspiration, creativity, and hope for a stronger, more sustainable future—one that’s built better together. You have the power to help the cities, towns, and places you call home reach new heights. With the support of the FIRST community, this is your opportunity to lead our future forward—and up.
It’s way more than building robots. FIRST® Tech Challenge teams are challenged to design, build, program and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge using 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.
Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, document their team's journal in an engineering notebook and do community outreach to earn specific awards.
About FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
GAINS IN WORKFORCE SKILLS
The positive impact on FIRST® Tech Challenge participants is gratifying and well documented.
FIRST ALUMNI ARE
2.6x
more likely to enroll in an
ENGINEERING
course their freshman year
(than a matched comparison group of students)
OVER
75%
of FIRST Alumni are in a
Stem Field As a Student or
Professional
95% of students reported gains in TIME MANAGEMENT
98% of students reported gains in problem solving
The Game
About FTC & FIRST
Impact
Dark Matter 14374 is a community-based FIRST Tech Challenge team of 7-8th graders located in St. Tammany Parish which is in Southeast Louisiana. We are a competitive team within FIRST - the founding organization of FTC that advocates for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and promotes Gracious Professionalism.
"FIRST® is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn import life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future." – Dean Kamen, FIRST® Founder