Sparks are about to fly for the first time in four years at Cannon Falls Schools with the reincarnation of the FIRST Robotics club. FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) or FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition), is a nationwide program where students receive a small starter kit consisting of a few basic parts, including a stripped down computer, and  are given a task to complete. FRC is highly competitive, schools will be matched up in random teams against one another throughout a tournament. The top 10 teams who get the most points move from state sectionals to a national tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, with one other team of their choosing. FRC is a great opportunity for schools to expose students to real life engineering.

Cannon Falls, after 4 long years, is finally reviving the FRC team with the help and planning of Joe Coyle who has been helping with the middle school IBM lego robotics competition for several years. In an interview Coyle said he is most excited about “Getting the program off the ground and making it into something that feeds off of itself.” Coyle wants the program to become a permanent part of Cannon Falls Schools by training kids of all ages to be involved. Four years ago the program was started with a team of mostly seniors, so after they all graduated there were not enough students left to carry the torch on. “It’s more than just programing, it’s more than just building,” Coyle wants students to know that they don’t need prior knowledge to join, everyone is there to learn and innovate. Currently there are around 15 students who are committed, signed up and ready to compete. If anyone is interested in coming to be a part of Cannon Falls history in the making, no robotics experience is required. Stop in and talk to Mr. Bennett for more information on joining the team.