Robotics is a key factor in attracting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & mathematics)-qualified students who learn to work as a team to build and operate robots designed to accomplish tasks that are similar to real life situations. One of the organizations advocating and creating competitions for these teams is First Tech Challenge. “FIRST® is the world’s leading youth robotics community, delivering youth robotics competitions that inspire innovation, build confidence, and prepare young people for life. Discover what drives our global movement.”
These teams of students, of which Bryleigh McBride is on the Minot North & Minot High combined team, are given the challenge and then the responsibility to build a robot to meet the challenge in a competitive environment against other teams from their region.
From the FTC website, “The FIRST Leadership Award recognizes the dedication and individual contributions of outstanding secondary school students participating on FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition teams. Students in 10th or 11th grade are eligible to be nominated by their team for the FTC Dean’s List Award for excelling in areas such as leadership, entrepreneurship, and dedication to advancing the mission of FIRST within their communities. FIRST is the world’s leading youth robotics community, delivering hands-on STEM learning that inspires innovation, builds confidence, and prepares kids for life. Across the globe, students thrive in our programs-powered by mentorship, teamwork, creativity, and engineering challenge.”
Bryleigh McBride is a sophomore and a second year competitor and this year her team “Spare Parts 32434 Team” recently competed on a state level at a First Tech Challenge competition. Leading up to the First state competition Bryleigh’s coach/advisors for Spare Parts nominated Bryleigh for the FTC Dean’s List award, which could eventually culminate with a trip to Houston, Texas where she would compete on a national level.
Each team is invited to select up to two (2) students who are in the 10th or 11th grade (sophomores or juniors) as FIRST Dean’s List Semi-Finalists. The students who earn FIRST Dean’s List Award status as a Semi-Finalists, Finalist or Winner, are great examples of student leaders who have led their Teams and communities to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission. These students have also achieved personal technical expertise and accomplishment. It is the intention of FIRST that these individuals will continue on, post-Award, as great leaders, student alumni, and advocates of FIRST.
“After being nominated” shares Bryleigh “I, and the other students that were nominated, had an interview at our First qualifying competition. Two of those who were nominated would end up being finalists and we would have a chance for a trip to the FTC World finals in Houston.”
Ten students will be chosen from the group of FTC Dean’s List Finalists, and those 10 will be awarded the FTC Deans’ List award. Bryleigh’s entire family are planning on making the trip to Houston with Bryleigh as a vacation, “it’s going to be fun” said Bryleigh.
Bryleigh is also helping to recruit younger students into the First program by distributing posters about First throughout the school “we actually make sure we talk to Minot Air Force Base kids who are new to Minot about joining. We have a big robot and a small robot we take to schools and let them (the younger kids) drive and get the robot experience” says Bryleigh.
Most robotic teams like “Spare Parts” are helped out by community partners, and going out and asking for donations is also part of the tasks of the team.
In the end the goal of groups like FIRST is to increase interest in STEM programs for high school students and give them more opportunities for college scholarships. “First is a big help because kids start early in the STEM programs” adds Bryleigh.
On a larger scope, incoming Minot Air Force Base commander, Col John Burrell is a supporter of the robotics driven programs at the high school level. And at a national level the Air & Space Force Association is also developing programs to inspire younger high school students to take an interest in STEM driven programs.
As far as goals for Bryleigh McBride? “I would like to study some type of engineering at Yale, that would be my dream.”
