FIRST High School Curriculum

[Frank L.]

This is a question that is finally getting the attention that it deserves. School District and high schools within those districts must find curriculum that aligns with state curriculum standards. A number of different robotics courses have been noted in the above replies...and some very good ones. In order for high schools to continue to support and fund (if necessary) a robotics program and FIRST team caution should be given to the course you select. In SC our State Department of Education has selected the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum....for the various reasons...it aligns with the State math and science standard (and many English ones), Second, the University of SC provides teacher training for new and continuing teachers; Third, students can test and receive postsecondary engineering credit for three of the five courses included in the curriculum, and, the Southern Regional Educational Board selected PLTW as a pre-engineering curriculum. Many high schools in SC are members of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program improvement model of the SREB...therefore, the PLTW curriculum fits within that model of high school reform. Team 343 has Incorporated the Robotics program into the 4th and 5th PLTW course. All students enrolled in those courses are exposed to FIRST Robotics and have the opportunity to build components of the robot each year. Specific subsections of the robotic are designed, engineered, and built by the students during the school day. Like it has been said...best of both worlds...building robots....during school and getting postsecondary engineering credit...not bad. Good luck to all teams this year. Frank, mentor.