Who are the tiwahe bots?
FIRST Tech Challenge team #16570, Tiwahe Bots was created in the fall of 2019. Although Fort White High School had an existing team called the IndiBots, our team has grown to include almost double the number of participants. Our team is made up of students from Fort White High School. Our team has 5 mentors, and several great sponsors including Walmart! Our team engages in a number of outreach activities. In addition to numerous demonstrations throughout Columbia County, we raise funds to help our "brother" team, FIRST LEGO League team #45154.
What is FIRST TECH cHALLENGE?
FTC is much more than just building robots! Participants call it "the hardest fun you'll ever have!"
Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages, including Java and Blockly. Teams must also raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards.
Every challenge that our students face is based on real world scientific problems that engages children in problem solving, and engineering. The cornerstone of the program is its Core Values, which emphasize friendly sportsmanship, learning and community involvement. Apply for our team fall 2019!
What are first's values?
Gracious Professionalism®
Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST Distinguished Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, coined the term "Gracious Professionalism®" is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.
Coopertition®
Coopertition® produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.
Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can.