Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) Career Pathways traveled to Prior Lake, Minnesota November 17th and 18th to check out a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Qualifier competition. Out of 24 teams, we were fortunate to meet up with 2 of our local teams: Lakeview (Gone Fission & Leftovers) and Luverne (Sincere Engineers). Friday night we learned how to set up the playing fields and where to station all of the check-in tables needed for the event. Saturday we kicked off the morning with scoping out the judging. Judging takes place from approximately 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. and during this time the teams are sharing with the judges about their robots and what their teams are doing in their local communities to increase the awareness of and need for STEAM related experiences and programs for students and schools.

LYFT Career Pathways was overwhelmed with joy after having the opportunity to sit in on our Luverne team. In their community they have grown from 8 teams to 40 teams; teams participate in FTC, First Robotics Challenge (FRC), and First Lego League (FLL). There are many options available for students in Luverne to get involved with robotics created by students.

Once the judging is over, students have their robots inspected to ensure their robots meet the desired specifications set forth by FIRST. The event then kicks off with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. and the first round of competitions kick off until Noon at which time all of the teams and volunteers break for lunch. And at 1 p.m. competition continues until top teams remain and those are respectively titled. The event concluded at 5 p.m. with an award ceremony.

This sport is so much more than just building robots or troubleshooting mechanical problems- it is about creating alliances, leadership, advocacy, motivating others to be better, making local connections, being sustainable and SO MUCH more. We were astonished at how many industry sponsors our local robotics team had in their corner and all of those connections were solely done through student voice. Truly amazing!

We are thrilled to announce that the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC) is hosting a FTC Robotics Qualifier competition right here in Marshall, MN. This is an exciting event that will take place on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be held at the Marshall Middle School.

We are in need of trained volunteers who are well-prepared to support the competition.
If you or someone you know has an interest in robotics and is willing to lend a hand, we invite you to participate as a Trained or General Volunteer. Your role will be integral in making this event a memorable and successful experience for all involved. If you are interested, please sign up here with High Tech Kids Volunteer, so they can send you schedules and assignments. Let Andrea Anderson know that you have signed up and I can send you training videos and rules.

SWWC has teamed up with High Tech Kids and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to run a robotics competition for kids in grades 7 through 12 called FIRST Tech Challenge. There will be 18 teams here in Marshall competing so we will be running two fields. Here is a cute video of what the kids will be doing. 2023 CenterStage Game Field

High Tech Kids will be running the event and will need volunteers to fill different roles to help make this event possible. They offer training videos for specific roles. It is not necessary, but they do encourage volunteers with trained roles to attend a tournament in the Twin Cities in November or December to be more prepared for our event in January. If you decide you would like to attend a qualifying event, LYFT Pathways will provide a stipend to those interested in participating in any event leading up to our January FTC Qualifier Game. Check out this brief Volunteer video. Here are roles that need to be filled and what the duties entail Volunteer Roles.

High Tech Kids will be bringing a couple of trained volunteers to help assist volunteers and do some training if needed. If you are a business, this is a great way to connect with future employees. If you are a higher education faculty member, this is a great way to find future students and if you are a parent who just wants to get involved with helping kids, this is a great opportunity for you.

Volunteer roles needing to be filled: Let us know and we can send you training videos and rule manuals.

• 8-9 Judges – training videos available
• 8 referees/inspectors – training videos available
• 2-3 Field Personnel
• 2 Scorekeeper
• 2-3 Pit Admin/Merchandise
• 2 – Emcee & DC – guided script available
• 8-10 people to set up Friday evening (about 3hr.)
• 6-8 people to tear down Saturday (about 2 hr.)

If you are interested in being a general volunteer you can contact me, Andrea Anderson or Eriann Faris for more information or sign up here FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer sign up and choose what roles you would be interested in doing.