Tag Archives: STEM

Robotics teams demo at Young Innovators Fair

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Pennsylvania and Delaware FTC teams promote robotics at Young Innovators Fair

Students and mentors with First State Robotics FTC team Rhyme Know Reason joined representatives from five Pennsylvania robotics teams and Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge organizers to demonstrate the fun and educational value of robotics to over 14,000 people at the Young Innovators Fair on January 2-3 at Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Other FTC teams participating in the public demo event were Flaming Phoenix, Metal Works, Sparks, Smokin’ Motors, MASHellaneous, and RoboLancers. In addition, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics team TOBOR was on hand to demonstrate their robot accomplishing its missions on an FLL competition field.

During the 18+ hours at the fair, the robotics students, mentors, and Penn FTC head, Tom Zawislak explained the principles and activities of FIRST, described their robots, and encouraged visitors in participation and team development. They gave young visitors a chance to drive demo bots and watch as competition robots performed on an FTC field. The large crowds were enthusiastic and asked many questions about FIRST.

If you missed the fun, FTC’s upcoming competitions are free and open to the public . Find info about local events here-

The Young Innovators Fair offers a variety of STEM activities and exhibits designed to attract children of varying interests and curiosity levels.
News item at CBS Philly

Thank you for another successful year

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First State Robotics is only possible because of our generous sponsors and amazing volunteers. As another successful year closes, we want to thank them all for supporting our youth and helping them to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

We also invite you to join us in our work.

  • To become an individual or corporate FSR sponsor, click here.
  • To join our indispensable team of event volunteers click here.

Two FSR sponsored teams win highest awards

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Draco the dragon, Rhyme Know Reason’s robot, climbs the FTC mountain to rescue climbers and hang from highest cliff.
Students in Rhyme Know Reason celebrate after winning Inspire Award.
Team MOE 365 hard at work

Our two FTC teams are heading to state championship events

At two different FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) qualifying competitions, MOE 365 and Rhyme Know Reason 8528 both earned the Inspire Award, the highest award given to an FTC team. This award is based on overall quality and accomplishments.

On November 21 in Marlton, NJ, MOE was also a member of the winning alliance in the field competition. The following week, on December 5 in Ambler, PA, Rhyme Know Reason was a member of the finalist alliance in the field competition. Inspire Award winners receive an automatic invitation to the next level of competition, in this case to the State Championships in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in February.

You can see both teams compete in the Diamond State Championship in Dover, DE, on February 6, 2016.

We are proud of the team members and their mentors and invite you to come out and cheer for them… all FTC competitions are free and open to the public.

What is an Inspire Award?

This judged award is given to the team that truly embodied the ‘challenge’ of the FTC program. The team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and a role model FTC team. This team is a top contender for many other judged awards and is a gracious competitor. The Inspire Award Winner is an inspiration to other teams, acting with Gracious Professionalism™ both on and off the playing field. This team is able to communicate their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge to other teams, sponsors, their community, and the Judges. Working as a unit, this team will have demonstrated success in accomplishing the task of designing and building a robot. (Taken from firstinspires.org)