HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, May 20, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Recognition of Middleton High School’s Robotics Teams, State First Tech Challenge (FTC) and World FTC Championships (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Three robotics teams (Masquerade, Maelstrom, and Minotaur) from Middleton High School swept the Florida FTC State Championship at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in February, earning all three bids to the Super Regional FTC Championship in San Antonio, Texas in March.  Their outstanding performance in Texas earned all three bids to the World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri this April.  Out of 3,236 FTC teams worldwide, only 128 FTC teams are invited to this event from 16 countries including China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.  Middleton’s FTC Team Masquerade, the 2012 First Place World Champion, finished third at this year’s World Championship.

FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.  Teams that include coaches, mentors, and volunteers are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles.  Awards are given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
This agenda item is for recognition and has no financial impact to the district.
EVALUATION
N/A
SUBMITTED BY: 
Larry R. Plank Ed.S.   Wynne A. Tye
Director, K-12 STEM
(813) 272-4439		   Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
    C 11
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20140520_633 (Board Recognition Meeting) * Section C Item# 11