Description

FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Program with Sela Bucovetsky!
The FIRST Tech Challenge program gives students the opportunity to design, build, program, and operate a competition robot as part of a team.
FTC is an advanced robotics program for students who are ready to work with larger robots, mechanical systems, electronics, programming, engineering design, and competition strategy. This year, the program will include one boys’ team and one girls’ team.
Students will work together to:

• Understand the annual FIRST Tech Challenge game and competition rules.
• Design and build a competition robot using metal components, motors, sensors, servos, and other mechanical and electrical systems.
• Program the robot for autonomous and driver-controlled operation.
• Design and manufacture custom parts using computer-aided design and 3D printing when appropriate.
• Test, troubleshoot, and continually improve the robot.
• Learn mechanical design, electronics, wiring, programming, and engineering documentation.
• Develop competition strategy and practise driving and operating the robot.
• Create an engineering portfolio documenting the team’s design process, challenges, and improvements.
• Prepare for interviews and presentations with competition judges.
• Develop teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and project-management skills.

Students may take on different responsibilities depending on their interests and experience. Roles may include mechanical design, construction, programming, electronics, driving, strategy, documentation, outreach, or team leadership.
Returning students may be given more advanced technical and leadership responsibilities.
Teams and Weekly Schedule:
FTC meetings will take place on Wednesdays.
The program will include two separate teams:

• One boys’ team
• One girls’ team

Students will be assigned to their respective team and will work with that team throughout the season. Each team will design, build, and program its own robot and prepare its own engineering portfolio, competition strategy, and judging presentation.
Although both teams will meet on Wednesdays, meeting times and workspace may be organized so that each team has appropriate access to equipment, tools, computers, and coaching.
Program Structure:
The program will be divided into two sessions.
Session 1: October 14 to December 16 - NO meeting on November 11
During the first session, students will learn the annual game, develop a strategy, begin designing and building their robot, and start programming its main systems.
Teams will also begin working on their engineering portfolios, driver practice, outreach activities, and judging preparation.
Session 2: Early January to the regional competition
The second session will begin shortly after New Year’s and continue until the regional FTC competition.
During this period, teams will focus on completing and improving their robots, programming autonomous routines, increasing reliability, practising driving, finalizing their engineering portfolios, and preparing for judging and competition.
Students intending to compete should participate in both the fall and winter sessions whenever possible. The second session continues directly from the work completed during the first session and is not a separate introductory program.
Competitions:
Both teams will prepare to participate in a regional FIRST Tech Challenge competition.
If a team qualifies, it may be invited to participate in the British Columbia provincial championship, which is generally held in early March in the Vancouver area.
Qualification is not guaranteed and will depend on each team’s performance and the official advancement criteria at the regional competition.
Additional travel, accommodation, meals, transportation, and competition expenses may apply if a team qualifies for provincials. Families will receive more information and an estimated budget before committing to the trip.
Program Fees:
The registration fee shown on the City’s website covers the regular Wednesday program sessions.
The City registration fee does not include the additional $100 regional competition fee per student. This fee will be collected separately from each student participating in the regional competition.
Expenses associated with attending the provincial competition are also not included in the regular program fee. These may include transportation, accommodation, meals, and additional competition costs.
Attendance and Team Commitment:
FTC is a team-based program, and every student has an important role. A student’s attendance affects the entire team because robot construction, programming, documentation, strategy, and driver practice depend on team members working together.
Regular attendance on Wednesdays is strongly encouraged. The more consistently students participate, the more skills they will develop and the stronger and better prepared their team will be.
Additional practices may occasionally be scheduled as competition approaches. Families will be notified in advance whenever extra meeting time is proposed.
Families should notify the instructor when a student will miss a meeting, especially during the final weeks before competition.

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Activity Secondary Category

General Interest

Location

MP 1 at Revelstoke Community Centre