FIRST ® Robotics Kick-Off at the Kennedy Space Center

Teams from Bob Sikes Elementary School, Davidson Middle School, Pryor Middle School, Shoal River Middle School, and the STEMM Academy had the opportunity to participate in this eye-opening engineering experience. 

Okaloosa County students compete in FIRST ® Robotics (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology). Students work as a team to design, build, program, and compete with their robot, all while working within time, budget, criteria, and constraints, for the problem theme, “Into Orbit.”

“This trip to the Kennedy Space Center provided an understanding for the challenges of deep space travel. The students are inspired and energized for the upcoming robotics season,” says Curt Palermo, Pryor Middle School coach. Students were able to view, up close, exhibits and spacecraft that actually went into space, a once in a lifetime opportunity for some students.

An additional aspect of the program is for the teams to identify and develop a solution to solve a human problem related to deep space travel. They must present and defend their solution to a panel of judges. Jennifer Kiel, coach of the STEMM Stingers, says, “It’s always exciting to see what our teams create for the project component. There is much more to this competition than just the robot. Students have to think, problem-solve, and create in every aspect of the competition.” 

“Okaloosa County robotics teams are some of the best teams in the state,” says coach Dottie Holland, Rockin’ Robots. The team previously earned an invite to the FIRST ® World Competition, and every year OCSD teams are invited to regional and state competitions. 

Teams must work hard and apply creative problem-solving to raise funds for the program. Laurie Allen, coach of Shoal River Robotics says, “We have done everything from running concession stands at events to hosting a 5K obstacle course mud run in Crestview.” Our season encompasses the entire school year for the marketing, outreach, and fundraising aspects.
This trip was possible due to the generous support of our community business partners: Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council, American Elite Molding, BJ Mitchell, Air Force Association Hurlburt 398 & Eglin 365, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Radioactive Roaches FRC Team #2556, and the Doolittle Institute.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

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2018-2019 School Year