The varsity Sport for the MindT™, FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Teams are made up of students in grades 9 – 12.
This year the University of New Hampshire and FIRST are joining forces to host a two-day head to head qualifying competition. College of Engineering and Physical Sciences faculty, WildCat robotics teams, and UNH staff, business and community partners will be providing their mentorship and skills to this event which supports the importance of hands-on STEM in the curriculum and pre-engineering and technology programming in secondary education. We have almost 40 teams participating from around New England, so far representing New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut. That’s close to 2,000 team members, their coaches, mentors, families and friends. Join us on Saturday and Sunday - March 21st and 22nd - in the Whittemore Center Arena for this fast paced and exciting event. Come cheer on your hometown school or learn more about robotics at UNH and FIRST programming throughout New England and the United States. This event is free and open to the public.