PFPS Announces Formation of FIRST® Tech Challenge Team
May 4, 2022
It is a pleasure to share with you that Pope Francis Prep will be offering a FIRST® Tech Challenge Team beginning in the fall of 2022. FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international company that has been sponsoring team challenges worldwide since 1989. The mission of FIRST® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills. FIRST® is also committed to inspiring innovation and fostering well-rounded life skills like self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Current students interested in joining the robotics team should attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 31, immediately after school in the Innovation Lab.
The PFPS FIRST® Tech Challenge Team will be offering 2 types of opportunities this fall. Students can be part of the Tech Team that will design, build, and program the robot, (using Google’s blockly program, or OnBot Java, or Android Studio Java programming languages), or become a part of the Spirit Team by creating messages and advertising events in school and cheering for the Tech Team during events. Programming and technical skills are not needed to become a team member. Team success depends on being dedicated and focused on the challenge in this experiential, project-based environment.
The PFPS Robotics Team team can host up to 15 Tech Team members annually to design, build, and program a robot by exploring advanced engineering concepts, brainstorming innovative ideas, and developing career-ready practices. And, the team is looking for five Spirit Team members to form the marketing team.
Tech Team members will be required to attend two or three weekly 90-minute work sessions (tentatively planned for twice a week from 2:30-4:00pm, with a third day added to prepare for monthly qualifiers.) Cardinals who are part of the Tech Team will need transportation to the monthly Saturday qualifiers. Spirit Team members will participate when marketing and advertising is needed, generally a week or two prior to each qualifier. Spirit Team members are welcome to attend a Saturday event to help set up the booth and to cheer on the Tech Team.
This is an exciting opportunity for Pope Francis Prep Students and we look forward to seeing the team grow! Students interested in joining the Pope Francis Prep Robotics Team should contact either Mrs. Slawiak at sslawiak@popefrancisprep.org or Mr. Salloum at zsalloum@popefrancisprep.org and plan to attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in the Innovation Lab.