FIRST / FTC
I am mentoring 8 high school teams from Jefferson, Xavier, and Metro High Schools in Cedar Rapids IA.
I help install and teach PTC's PROe Creo CAD software, and I am also a hardware inspector for scrimmages and tournaments at the state level.
FIRST is an organization founded to spread science to kids. From their website:
FIRST Vision
“To.transform.our.culture.by.creating.a.world.where.science.and.technology.
are.celebrated.and.where.young.people.dream.of.becoming.science.and.
technology.leaders.”.—.Dean.Kamen,.Founder
FIRST Mission
Our.mission.is.to.inspire.young.people.to.be.science.and.technology..
leaders,.by.engaging.them.in.exciting.mentor–based.programs.that..
build.science,.engineering.and.technology.skills,.that.inspire.innovation,..
and.foster.well–rounded.life.capabilities.including.self–confidence,.
communication.and.leadership.
Some useful links I have found:
FTC Iowa: http://sites.google.com/site/ftciowa/
FIRST USA site: http://www.usfirst.org/
CAD files for kits: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/default.aspx?id=968
PTC Creo education: http://www.ptc.com/appserver/mkt/educational/program.jsp?&im_dbkey=76335&icg_dbkey=851
PTC FIRST Community: http://communities.ptc.com/groups/first-mentors?view=discussions
Some of my FTC work: https://sites.google.com/site/mittelstadtc/Home/first-ftc/my-ftc-work
Teams in Iowa:
Countdown to Championship (Feb 24th and 25th 2012):