2023/2024 USC Middle School Competitive Robotics Interest (FLL)

For the 2023/2024 school year, we have modified the middle school competitive robotics opportunities.  Interested parents and students should attend an informational meeting on Thursday, September 7th from 6-7 PM in the Upper St Clair High School Resource Center off of the main Academic Entrance to learn more.

• Allow 5th-8th graders to participate.  5th & 6th graders may join a Boyce level FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge team while 7th & 8th graders join a Fort Couch level FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge team.
• Create a framework to allow students to invest more time.  Extend the amount of practice time for the competitive teams by moving meetings to evenings/weekends.

In order to accommodate the large interest in robotics competitions, teams are now required to have a volunteer parent coach who will need to complete USC School District clearance, FIRST Robotics clearances & training, and be school board approved.  These coaches, and students, will be guided by the middle school competitive robotics coordinator during weekly meetings.  Parent coaches are encouraged to meet with their team additionally, outside the regular meeting time with the coordinator.

To join a USC middle school competitive robotics team you must complete this registration to express interest.  It is ideal if your child knows of others they would like to have on their team and if a parent is able to volunteer to coach.  All efforts will be made to have students on teams with friends.  The number of teams created will be based on student interest and availability of parent volunteers.  There will be a maximum of 6 teams.

The payment of $150 will be collected once teams are created after the September 7th informational meeting.

TEAM LOGISTICS

• 6 students per team
• 1-2 parent volunteer coaches per team (coaches must attend practices and competitions)
• 1st semester commitment only
• Attend meetings Tuesday & Thursday evening from 6-8 PM (Fort Couch LGI)
• Attend scrimmages and competitions on weekends based on team's interest per the Western PA FLL schedule (www.pafll.com)
• Cost to participate is $150 per student.  Families experiencing financial hardships should reach out to Tracy Smith for possible accommodations.

To learn more about the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge, visit their website.

Specific documents regarding the 2023 MASTERPIECE Challenge can be found HERE.