(Oriskany, NY – Aug. 2013) The Central New York FIRST Tech Challenge Team Consortium (CNY+) in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension – Oneida County present “F.I.R.S.T. 4-H Night: An Evening of Robotics Exploration!” on Tuesday evening, Aug. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building at 121 2nd Street in Oriskany.
Area student robotics teams participating in FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, will host this free event featuring hands-on robot demos designed to spark interest in activities based in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Nationally, 4-H has formed an alliance with FIRST to work cooperatively in the promotion of scientific learning and in the building of life skills among K-12 youth.
Over a dozen interactive pods of activity will allow students and families to interact with robotic models and competition size robots. Demonstrations include 18-inch metal robots on a full 12-foot by 12-foot FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) competition field, 12-inch LEGO robots on a 4-feet by 8-feet FIRST LEGO League (FLL) field, LEGO MINDSTORMS SUMO robots, remote control cars, a spider, a scorpion, T-Rex, and other creations by area students. FIRST team coaches, 4-H representatives and tournament organizers will be on hand to answer questions.
CNY+, a local robotics team alliance, consists of 9 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams of students from regional Jr. High and High Schools. Over 40 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams of 9 to 14 year olds participated in our region last year. This fall, more than 60 teams are anticipated within 100 miles of Utica.
Jr. FIRST LEGO League, for 6 to 8 year olds, is also gaining momentum in the area. FIRST student programs focus on problem solving, teamwork, and citizenship, preparing students with skills that can be applied in all career fields. Teams can be privately funded neighborhood teams, run as 4-H or other clubs, or be school supported.
Other upcoming area FIRST events include the FIRST LEGO League Nature’s Fury Season Kick-off on Aug. 17 and the FIRST Tech Challenge Season Kick-off & Reveal on Sept. 7. The SUNYIT Student Center will host both events.
This December, the SUNYIT Wildcat Field House hosts the Utica Region’s FLL Championship and a all new Central New York FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifying Tournament on the same weekend.
For more information on local robotics events, check out the CNY F.I.R.S.T. and CNYFTC Facebook pages or email cnyftc@gmail.com.