This was the kickoff event for a unique and groundbreaking robotics program: the FIRST Tech Challenge( FTC).
FIRST( which stands for“ For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”), is a global nonprofit that runs age-tiered robotics competitions: FIRST LEGO League( FLL) for grades K – 8, FIRST Tech Challenge( FTC) for grades 7 – 12, and FIRST Robotics Competition( FRC) for high school teams building large-scale robots. Vermont is part of this international community, but its youth robotics ecosystem has its own flavor: intimate, scrappy, and fueled by grassroots energy.
This year, season kickoff events were held around the state in Bennington, Montpelier, and on campus at UVM in Burlington, all co-hosted by local teams. Manchester Machine Makers( Team # 16221) and the Bennington-based Cookie Clickers( Team # 18650) gathered at the Manchester Community Library with additional FTC teams from Rutland and Springfield, expanding the event’ s regional impact. The library became a proving ground for design, coding, and collaboration as the teams gathered together in a circle to celebrate the start of a new season, reflecting on their accomplishments and the lessons they had learned in years past.
The game challenge changes every year, and is top secret until the global livestream from FIRST HQ begins. In this year’ s“ DECODE” game, robots built by the young team members must identify and sort color-coded“ artifacts,” read“ April tag” QR codes for autonomous scoring, flip open gates that release game pieces, and race back to a home base for extra points in the final seconds. The game combines elements of cutting-edge coding, robotic engineering, strategy, and teamwork in a way that is thrilling and intellectually engaging in equal measure. For students, the kickoff was more than just the start of a year-long game; it was a snapshot of everything FIRST stands for: creativity, competition, and cooperation. It also embodied an overarching philosophical concept of unifying sportsmanship, which FIRST refers to as“ gracious professionalism.” In the weeks after the kickoff event, which will lead up to the regional and international FTC competitions, we spoke to the coaches of the Manchester Machine Makers and the Cookie Clickers, as well as key figures at UVM Extension 4-H and at FIRST in Vermont, embarking on a deep and detailed journey into the exciting world of youth robotics and STEM in Vermont and beyond.
Manchester Machine Makers: Local Roots, Great Ambition
In Southern Vermont, the Manchester Machine Makers FTC team has become a vital hub for students looking to explore robotics, coding, and teamwork. Founded in 2019 by Mike Cole, the team began with just three or four students, but it quickly grew and made a resonant impact.“ Mike has a particular talent for getting people together and reaching out into the technical community,” explains Patty Rutins, the team’ s current head coach.“ He took it upon himself, just as someone who really wants to further STEM in this area. Thanks to Mike’ s original efforts, we now have this club, which is a big deal for kids who are looking for that outlet.”
The team was structured from the beginning as a 4-H club, unaffiliated with a single school, so students from across the community could participate. That flexibility remains one of its defining strengths. Students come from Burr & Burton Academy, Long Trail School, Maple Street School, The Dorset School, and local homeschools.“ We don’ t want the restriction of only taking kids from one school,” Rutins explained.“ We’ ve got too many schools and too many kids that are interested in order to limit ourselves.”
The Machine Makers made their competitive debut at the 2020 Regional Championship, where they won the Think Award, one of FIRST Tech Challenge’ s judged honors. Rutins elaborates:“ The Think Award specifically aims toward rewarding a good process and documenting that process. It was a big deal for the team to win the Think Award in their first year.” Rutins became more deeply involved
Top: Competition medallions at the FTC Vermont Regional Championship in February 2024 at Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park, Vermont
Bottom: An FTC Robot at the FTC Vermont Regional Championship in February 2024 at Lamoille Union High School
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