SPARCS/Aspirations News: ‘Iron Maidens,’ Apple Valley H.S. Robotics Team, earns ‘Inspire Award’ at Dec. 13 competition
By Russell Fraenkel
Director of Career Pathways and Partnerships
Advance IT Minnesota
Congratulations Iron Maidens … second year, all female FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team from Apple Valley High School with eight members … for earning the Inspire Award at a Dec. 13 FTC robotics challenge in North Branch, Minn.
Many of these students have been (and are currently) SPARCS participants. Many have applied for the Aspirations Award (one member, Atalanta, was a winner last year). Having visited with them throughout the afternoon Dec. 13, and hearing their pitch, I’m not at all surprised they won the inspire award.
The Inspire award is the highest award an FTC Team can receive. The award description:
“This formally judged award is given to the team that truly embodied the ‘challenge’ of the FTC program. The team that receives this award is chosen by the judges as having best represented a role model FTC Team. This Team is a top contender for all other judging categories and is a strong competitor on the field. The Inspire Award Winner is an inspiration to other teams, acting with Gracious Professionalism both on and off the playing field. This team understands how to communicate their experiences and knowledge to other teams, sponsors, and the judges. This team advances to the MN FTC State Championships in February.”