PTC recently announced that it is inviting FIRST teams around the world to complete virtually in its design competition, Robots to the Rescue, in which teams will be challenged to design a robot that can solve a current real-world problem.
Each year, FIRST offers a suite of in person robotics competitions for students in grades PreK-12. This year, FIRST needed to suspend its current season due to school closures and travel restrictions. In response to the suspended season, PTC invites students to design and compete virtually using Onshape, a SaaS product development platform. Because Onshape is web-based, FIRST students can collaborate remotely while continuing to hone their engineering skills.
Students are invited to design and compete virtually in Robots to the Rescue using Onshape. Because Onshape is web-based, FIRST students can collaborate remotely while continuing to hone their engineering skills. As part of the six-week competition, FIRST teams, specifically FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition teams, will design a robot that can help solve a real-world problem such as providing food and supplies to people in remote places, or removing pollution from the atmosphere.
“This competition is an opportunity for FIRST students around the world to engage their interest in STEM and collaborate with one another virtually,” said Jim Heppelmann, president and CEO, PTC. “With Onshape, students will use a robust CAD design solution that’s powerful, easy to get started, and fun to use.”
“We’re thrilled that PTC has made the Robots to the Rescue competition exclusively available to FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition students,” said Ken Johnson, Director, FIRST Tech Challenge. “We know our participants will gain valuable knowledge through this experience, and it’s a chance for them to virtually connect and problem-solve together during this time of social distancing. We’re grateful to PTC for helping to make the competition possible this year, as well as for its continued support of FIRST over a long-standing relationship.”
The competition launches on Friday, April 3. Students from around the world can register for the competition online here. Both the competition and the use of Onshape are free to students.
