On December 8 and 9, MICDS hosted a meet for FIRST® Robotics in the McDonnell Athletic Center. This is the first time in Missouri that a local event hosted both FIRST® LEGO® League (for a middle school competition) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (for a high school competition) in the same venue simultaneously. This allowed students competing in FIRST® LEGO® League to see the fun and excitement of what lies ahead of them in the FIRST® Tech Challenge experience.
There were 24 FIRST® LEGO® League teams competing each day, including five teams from MICDS. There were also 10 FIRST® Tech Challenge teams competing Saturday. MICDS has three FIRST® Tech Challenge teams. None competed in this meet, but team members assisted with filling the 111 volunteer roles needed to hold this event. Sunday also included a showing from FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. which consisted of 1st graders showing their projects and research. Overall, it was an exciting weekend launching learning across the FIRST® program!
Here are the themes and grade levels of the various FIRST® programs this year:
- Destination: Deep Space – FIRST® Robotics (Grades 9-12)
- Rover Ruckus – FIRST® Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12)
- Mission Moon – FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. (Grades 4-8)
- Into Orbit – FIRST® LEGO® League (Grades SK-4)
FIRST® (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) offers project-based, hands-on programs that teach students about coding, programming and engineering. Students collaborate to solve an annual robotics challenge.
Our three FIRST® Tech Challenge teams are competing on Saturday, December 15 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at SLSRA STLCC Wildwood BotShow Two. Spectators are welcome, and more information can be found here. Help cheer on our all-female Rampunzel team as well as our coed Technoramic and Rampage teams!