FIRST Team 1305 Joins Teams From Around the World
Worldwide Kick-off Goes Jan. 6, 2024
On January 6, FIRST Team 1305 will join teams of high school aged students from across the planet in participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) kick-off. Teams will learn details of the 2024 game, Crescendo, which for the first time is including the arts, adding the “A” to STEAM.
FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kame. FIRST is a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a variety of life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience.
FIRST Team 1305 is community based with committed volunteer mentors from a variety of occupations. Lead mentor Bryan Kelso shares that for him, “The FRC kick-off is better than Christmas!” The team will be meeting at their home, Canadore College Commerce Court Campus, on Saturday January 6 at 12:00 noon. Newcomers are welcome to join in the fun and can contact 1305 for more information at www.team1305.org/contact.
Teams design, program, and build a robot starting with a standard kit of parts and a set of rules to play in a themed head-to-head challenge. Teams also develop business plans, create community partnerships, and work to promote STEM in their communities. Every game is played on a 26 by 54 foot field with two opposing, randomly assigned alliances of three robots each. Veteran student programmer, Inuka, says that he is, “Nervous and eager to get back into competing. As someone who plays piano, I am excited to see what the Crescendo game brings.”
In 2022 well over three thousand teams from 26 countries competed, and the 2024 season will see even more teams participating. 1305 welcomes new students to the team at any time of the year. Tomoki, a rookie team member and exchange student from Japan shares, “I think you (1305) all are so kind and friendly. I have learned a lot of things, such as how to use tools. I feel awesome being part of this group!” Kyla, who first got the robotics bug as a field setup volunteer for the Nipissing University FRC Event last March says, “I can hardly wait for the new season to start so that I can learn so many more things.”
FIRST Team 1305 appreciates their community’s generosity and support over the years.
