Robots Ready!
Robotic challengers meet the "Ultimate Ascent"- at the Crossroads FIRST® Robotics Competition
With names like Kil-A-Bytes, Metal Cow, and Robrioles, teams of students, grades 9-12, descended on Rose-Hulman’s Hulbert Arena to meet the FIRSTRobotics challenge at the 2013 inaugural Crossroads Regional. They came with mottos like “Don’t say it doesn’t work; make it work,” bringing robots designed to shoot disks into narrow slots and to climb a jungle gym that tapers upwards like a pyramid.
The FIRST® Robotics Competition is the best union of sport and mind, introducing high school aged innovators to real-world robotics challenges. For example, 2012 robots competed on a basketball court scoring free shots from several angles. Grouped in teams and paired with professionals, students come away from the Competition able to:
- visualize and implement basic skills learned in science, math and engineering classrooms
- achieve structured goals that could be translated to real business solutions
- learn team cooperation and work with mentors to solve engineering design problems
- test their skills in a fun, stimulating way
Well-aligned with these student goals, Rose-Hulman is proud to host the FIRST Crossroads regional competition, one of only two FIRST FRC events in the state of Indiana. Dedicated to hands-on learning in undergraduate STEM education, Rose-Hulman provides the perfect environment for a campus full of young people excited about robot designs.
2013 winners qualified to go to the National FIRST Championships in St. Louis (see Video).
What is FIRST®?
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, N.H., the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity inspires young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including selfconfidence, communication, and leadership.
Inaugural Crossroads Regional
FIRST Robotics Competition
Here's what people said:
“Being a rookie Regional Director and having a group of people like all of you have made this event one to remember... you have set the bar high for rookie events... There will be a buzz around the FIRST community about the success of this event.” – Steve Florence, FIRST Regional Director
“On behalf of the judge team, they were impressed. I want to personally say, it was one of the best regionals I have been a part of… simply awesome!” – Ben Wrightsman, Advisor to Judges
“The positive vibe in that arena was fantastic, and I can't thank you enough for giving my family a fantastic shared experience.” – Rose-Hulman faculty member
Robotics at Rose-Hulman
At Rose-Hulman, sport/mind challenges like FIRST are part of the curriculum. Students have the chance to build, test and put sophisticated robots to the challenge in their first year of college. Learn more about the Robotics Multi-Disciplinary Minor.
FIRST Robotics Regional FAQ
FRC is an annual competition for 14-18 year olds that helps young people discover the rewards and excitement of education and careers in science, engineering, and technology.
Challenges Await
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. With support, the not-for-profit organization is able to host robotics competitions for a variety of age groups.