1. Re-Engineering the Classroom with FIRST® Tech Challenge
Drew McConnell
Digital Learning Manager at FIRST®

2. Digital Learning Manager at FIRST® Background
Introduction
Digital Learning Manager at FIRST®
Background
Computer Science
Educator
Passionate about helping kids learn to learn

3. Discussion
Get with 3-4 people around you and discuss the following question for 5 minutes:
What are the most important skills kids learn from FIRST® Tech Challenge?

4. Discussion
Get with 3-4 people around you and discuss the following question for 5 minutes:
What are the most important skills kids learn from FIRST® Tech Challenge? Please share.

5. Discussion
What is unique about the FIRST® Tech Challenge experience that fosters these skills?

6. Discussion
What is unique about the FIRST® Tech Challenge experience that fosters these skills? Please share.

7. Learning in FIRST® Tech Challenge
We believe FIRST® Tech Challenge is a great learning environment
Discovery-based
No right answer
Learn through failure

8. Learning in FIRST® Tech Challenge
We believe all kids should learn in this manner.

9. Learning in FIRST® Tech Challenge
In addition to engineering, kids learn:
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Metacognition
Design Thinking
Communication
Collaboration
More!
Many of these are absent from traditional education.

10. Have you tried bringing FIRST ® Tech Challenge into the classroom?
Discussion
Discuss with 3-4 people:
Have you tried bringing FIRST ® Tech Challenge into the classroom?
If so, how did you do it?
If not, what do you imagine a typical day would look like?
What barriers exist to classroom implementation?
What frustrations did you encounter when starting a team? How did you overcome them?

11. Have you tried bringing FIRST ® Tech Challenge into the classroom?
Discussion
Discuss with 3-4 people:
Have you tried bringing FIRST ® Tech Challenge into the classroom?
If so, how did you do it?
If not, what do you imagine a typical day would look like?
What barriers exist to classroom implementation?
What frustrations did you encounter when starting a team? How did you overcome them?
Please share.

12. Maintain authentic FIRST ® experience
Pedagogy
Maintain authentic FIRST ® experience
Discovery-based
No right answers
Learn through failure
Implement necessary academic structures
Assessments
Standards alignments
Teacher as facilitator
Hosted in Schoology LMS

13. 1st Semester Units
Safety
Introduction to Robotics
FIRST ® Tech Challenge Game
Initial Design
Building & Programming

14. Reflection and Last Iteration
2nd Semester Units
Reflection and Last Iteration
Reflect on competition
Last changes on robot
Skill Building
Building Challenges
Programming
CAD
New Game
Redesign game and adapt robot

15. Questions