Technical difficulties can be stressful and even downright scary. Just ask the Apollo 13 crew! They can also become holistic learning environments. FIRST Tech Challenge accomplishes this by building technical difficulties into the context of a game.
This year’s FTC Game is Cascade Effect. Like many of the game’s names this year’s is ripe with meaning and with scientific connection.
The challenge of working as part of a team is greatly enhanced when moving up from FIRST LEGO League to FIRST Tech Challenge. At the same time, distinct roles are more recognizable in FTC. Role include: lead programmer, engineer, designer, lead for the engineering notebook, marketer, presenter, graphic designer, driver, team captain, and on and on.
With a dedicated group of teens and parents FTC can capture all of the hard and soft skills of the best project-based learning program. Keep your eyes open for FTC events in your area this weekend and in following weekends. Idaho’s FTC Championship is Saturday, February 7th at the University of Idaho Memorial Gym in Moscow. This event is open to the public (12 noon- 7pm) and to interested volunteers. To volunteer click here.
