By Jim Sprague
FIRST Robotics events, like the ones the popular Dexter HS Dreadbots compete in, are family friendly, fun and free to attend.
Dexter area families with science or robot-inclined children younger than high school may be interested in helping to form a FIRST program at their child’s level. Plans are underway to start a new FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program for Dexter area fourth through sixth graders this fall.
The FLL program builds robots based on the LEGO Mindstorm system.
The Dreadbot organization stands ready to assist in navigating these waters, but we need interested families! Please contact DHSDreadbotOutreach@gmail.com for information and to let us know if you and your child would like to start building robots like the Dreadbot team!
DEXTER DREADBOTS ADVANCE TO STATES
FIRST combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. Small teams of students are challenged to hone teamwork skills as they build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as students can get.
Volunteer professionals and mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team, making the experience valuable and unforgettable for both the student and the mentor.
See https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll for information about this exciting program! Additional FIRST programs could be started for 1st-3rd grades (Jr. FLL) and for 7th and 8th grades (FTC – FIRST Tech Challenge).
Visit https://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/events/ to find out more about upcoming events, including the State Championships, as well as the World Championships, to be be held April 24-27 at Cobo Hall in Detroit.
