Taking the FIRST Step: Robotics teams and tech companies collaborate [Vermont Tech Jam 2025] скачать в хорошем качестве

Taking the FIRST Step: Robotics teams and tech companies collaborate [Vermont Tech Jam 2025]

FIRST robotics competitions can be just as thrilling as athletic events. This past spring, a two-day regional robotics tournament took over UVM’s Patrick Gymnasium — it was the first time Vermont had hosted a Northeast regional FIRST event featuring high schoolers with FRC robots, the biggest competitors, which often weigh more than 100 pounds. The tournament drew hundreds of fans, many of whom sported buttons or even shirts supporting their favorite teams. Most youth sports squads rely on some form of corporate sponsorship, but for robotics teams, especially at the FRC level, that bond is crucial. Bots can cost thousands of dollars to build. Team sponsors help defray the cost and in many cases provide equipment and instruction, too. That’s a win for the kids and the sponsors. Supporting FIRST teams is an investment in long-term workforce development. Many local tech companies employ FIRST alums. In this presentation, four teams from across Vermont — and their corporate sponsors — describe their FIRST journeys. Participants include the IBOTS of Rutland and General Electric; Tech Storm from St. Johnsbury and Momentum Manufacturing Group of Lyndonville; Green Mountain Robotics of Chittenden County with Hazelett of Colchester; and Mango Tango from White River Junction, as well as the FLL-level team Camels Hump Coders of Huntington, who will present with their partner, GlobalFoundries. Moderating the conversation are Jaine Perotti, a FIRST alum and robotics engineer from Greensea IQ; and Laura Treers, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UVM, both of whom will speak about their experiences with FIRST. https://techjamvt.com/