BEDFORD – On February 25th, several FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams from Lawrence and surrounding counties competed at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds for a chance to compete at the World Championship in Houston, Texas in April.
There was a total of 28 teams that qualified to attend the Indiana State Championship from all across Indiana. Each year, only 2 from Indiana advance to Worlds.
The 2022 Season of PowerPlay presented by Raytheon Technologies started on September 10th. Since then, teams of middle and high school students from around the state and world have designed and built robots in order to complete the tasks presented to them.
FIRST Robotics is an international robotics competition provider with thousands of teams across the world. Their goal, according to founder and inventor Dean Kamen, is “…to compete for the hearts and minds of kids with the excitement of the Super Bowl.”
CTF which stands for Certified Tech Freaks is a part of Superior STEAM 4-H Club, a non-profit organization, and is a reverse of the acronym for FTC–placed 28th out of 28 teams in Robot Game; however, they are the first team to advance to the World Championship because they won the INSPIRE AWARD. The INSPIRE AWARD “…is given to the team that best embodies the ‘challenge’ of the FIRST Tech Challenge program.
The team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and a role model FIRST Team. This team is a top contender for many other judged awards and is a gracious competitor. The Inspire Award winner is an inspiration to other Teams, acting with Gracious Professionalism® both on and off the Playing Field. This team shares their experiences, enthusiasm, and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community, and the judges. Working as a unit, this team will have shown success in performing the task of designing and building a Robot.
Also, CTF had the amazing Emily Chase impress the Dean list judges. She earned First Dean’s List Award status. She is a great leader who has led her team and communities to increase awareness for FIRST and its mission. She also has achieved personal technical expertise and accomplishment along the way. She now will compete at Worlds in Houston, TX with other Dean’s List Finalists from around the world to decide the top 10 Dean’s List Winners.
CTF will compete in Houston from April 19th-22nd. You can learn more about CTF at ctf19366.org or follow Superior STEAM on social media: @steamsuperior.
CTF now needs help getting to Houston. For most teams, the World Championship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you would like to be a part of this endeavor please email Superior STEAM at info@superiorsteam.org or simply scan the QR code to be taken to the team’s GoFundMe page.
Please join us in helping, teaching, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, artists, and leaders.
FIRST Indiana Robotics (the FIRST Robotics Program Delivery Partner for the State) will also have more information. Learn more at firstindianarobotics.org or follow them on social media: @firstinrobotics.
