The Road to FIRST
- Jillian A. Keith
- Jun 1, 2020
- 1 min read
What does it take to get to the top? A group of young adult’s journey to the largest robotics competition in the world.
Photography by Jennifer Simonson
On the cream and army striped wall across from our tiny, cramped, picnic table sits a clear display filled with freshly polished brass and silver. In that cage lays this team’s key to success.
When two of them spotted it, the creases in their foreheads deepened and the corners of their mouths lowered. The other’s eyes were filled with the reflection of the glittering trophies and hope. This is what could make or break the rest of their competition. This giant piece of tin determines their success and future endeavours.
Are these people crazy? Slightly sexist? Borderline autistic? Maybe. But one thing is for sure, they are desperate to travel back to last April- a time which many of them describe as the best experience of their life.
Photography by Jennifer Simonson
The roaring crowds. The blinding strobe lights capable of dulling your senses. The sound of metal on metal. The craziness of the largest robotics competition in the world: FIRST.
Every year, 20,000 adults from countries all over the world travel to St. Louis to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship. The road to FIRST is a long, treacherous, and rewarding path. That is if you make it.
Robotics may sound nerdy, but it’s snatched the attention of a new generation of programmers, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers powering the exhibition of building incredibly powerful engineering tools.
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