FIRST Robotics hosts Rochester tournament

Two dozen FIRST Tech Challenge teams from all across New York State competed with their custom-designed, built and programmed remote controlled and autonomous metal robots this past December at the Finger Lakes FIRST Tech Challenge youth robotics tournament at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

The tournament was hosted by FIRST Robotics @ SUNY Poly.

Of the 24 teams that competed, eight of them advanced to the SUNY Poly FIRST Tech Challenge Championship on February 12, 2017 during FIRST Robotics Weekend at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica.

Enderbots 5484, a team from from Corning, NY won the finals match while Geared Up 6347, a team from Rome, NY won the Inspire Award –  the highest honor given at a tournament and recognizes the ultimate “role model team.”

FIRST Tech Challenge is the level of FIRST robotics which includes 7th through 12th grades.

Another FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier Tournament hosted by FIRST @ SUNY Poly was held on January 8, 2017 at Sauquoit High School in Sauquoit, NY.

All FIRST robotics tournaments are free and open to the public.

“Ultimately FIRST Robotics @ SUNY Poly is a necessary, long-term partner for local and NY State universities and companies seeking enthusiastic, skilled and motivated engineering and technical students and employees,” says Tina Betz, K-12 STEM Outreach Coordinator and FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Coordinator. “Studies have found that 90% of FIRST robotics participants plan to attend college and over 75% are involved in a STEM field as a student or professional.

FIRST programs offer children hands-on STEM educational opportunities in exciting, sports-style competitions. FTC is specifically designed for students in grades 7-12 and partners them with mentors to design, build and program robots to go head-to-head against other teams in regional challenges. Successful entrants qualify for over $13.5 million in college scholarships and a chance to compete in the World Championship.