Why Join Robotics in Edina?
What’s the Edina Robotic Program Difference?
FTC Program
28 Tournament
State Awards
World Championship Awards
Proven track Record of Success
FRC Program
Tournament
State Awards
World Championship Awards
The Edina robotics program focuses on the growth of students, helping to propel them into their future careers in a wide range of professions, from working as a mechanical engineer to a software developer or a salesman. Students are actively learning life skills from STEM and business professionals. On top of learning life skills, Edina has a strong tradition of being a winning program by earning multiple top awards in Minnesota as well as World Championships across the FTC and FRC levels.
“The Edina robotics program has been a great experience for our family. Beyond the technical skills, robotics offers an incredible range of experiences; team collaboration, problem-solving under pressure, presenting ideas, and building meaningful connections within the community. I can see how my kids have gained lifelong skills that will serve them well far beyond robotics, and I am truly thankful.” - Angela, parent of FTC and FRC members
Lasting impact
Students Graduated and growing
Colleges attended
What’s the Difference between FTC and FRC in Edina Robotics?
FTC and FRC programs are great for students. When determining which program a student should join, it is about matching the student’s time, desire and goals with the program and teams. They both offer benefits and opportunities for students to grow and learn in STEM!
Edina’s FTC program runs multiple different teams with typically 5-12 students per team across a shorter season from Sept-Feb. Students range from 7th-12th grade and join with little to no experience or multiple years of robotics experience. The teams will focus on building smaller robots and do some community outreach based on each team’s goals.
Learn more at their dedicated website: https://www.ftcroboticsedina.com/
Edina’s FRC program runs one larger team with typically 20-35 students across a longer season from Oct-April. With a larger team, the students will have the ability to specialize their skills and truly learn from their mentors. Students range from 10th-12th grade and join with some STEM experience or multiple years of robotics experience. The teams uses industry best practices while building the robot. In addition to the building a top tier robot, The Green Machine focuses heavily on our business and community outreach initiatives, where the students learn and applies business level go to market strategies and approaches.
Do Students’ really learn life skills?
YES!! If the kids are part of the build team, they will learn to use CAD and assemble a robot with power tools and machine tools, like a CNC. Additionally, they have to learn how to wire servos, motors, sensors and understand power distribution. For coders, they will learn best practices in coding fundamentals and how to code in JavaScript, C++, or Python. All students will learn different project and time management skills, presentation, teamwork and decision making process, which includes how to collect and analyze the data.
If I am not technical, Can I still Join Robotics?
YES!! When you think of robotics, you think that there wouldn’t be any business side; however, that is far from the truth. In FRC, business is very important to the longevity of the team because the business is what helps bring people to the program. Students will have to learn cold calling to help gain sponsorships, know how to pitch to companies, and how to personalize those pitches in order for them to be more persuasive. Additionally, people on the business team will have to modify the team logo, jersey, and overall their public image. About our public image, we do have a small team that stemming from the business team that does do work for our instagram account. Though many people believe that the coders would be making the website, the business team is actually in charge of the website creation. The business will have to know every part of the team and be knowledgeable in mostly every aspect to answer parents' questions or concerns. The business also has access to the budget, which helps them understand where the money goes and how it is used. In general, many of these skills are needed for students to be successful in the business world. Being a part of this team will help students develop their skills like management, pitching, and design, which are needed for the future.
What does the commitment look like?
FRC is the highest level in the FIRST organization, and during the build season, Green Machine meets from 5-8, Mon-Thurs. Occasionally, we will have meetings on Fridays and Saturdays; however, that is only if the team needs extra time. For tournaments, the team will have 2 in-state tournaments, which would be 3-4 days during the week or weekend. If the team qualifies for Worlds, which is in late April to early May, the students will be gone for around 5-6 days, with 3-4 of them being school days. Finally, the state tournament is potentially 5-6 days. With missing around 3-4 days of school for the state.