Robotics Technical Education Foundation, Inc. (RTEF), is a non-profit Florida corporation founded in 2021. RTEF is approved for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Our organization was created solely for the purpose of supporting FIRST® Team 79 Krunch, an award-winning competitive robotics team of local high school-aged students, professional mentors, and volunteers within our community. Student team members are engaged in a fast-paced learning process of designing, prototyping, building, and programming a robot that is capable of performing tasks in a specific challenge during competitive events on a playing field developed by FIRST®.

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FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, who had an imperative, single focus "to excite more young people about the fun, accessibility, and importance of science and technology." FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) is an annual competition that brings professionals and young people together in teams to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive environment. These exciting nationwide competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of a great deal of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, constraints, and deadlines. Their aim is to show students not only that the technological fields hold many varied opportunities for success and are accessible and rewarding, but also that the basic concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and invention are exciting and interesting. More details and information about FIRST® can be found on their website at http://www.firstinspires.org.

 

Cultivating an interest in STEM-related fields has a positive lifestyle impact on students. Involvement with FIRST® exposes students to an environment where they learn skills to improve their chances of pursuing a college education and securing a high-paying job for a successful future. It also helps steer students clear of negative activities that may prevent them from reaching their full potential. Having qualified engineering mentors as positive role models allows students to master the skills required for success in the workplace. As ambassadors for FIRST® and STEM, team members engage other students, mentors, and sponsors through various robot demonstrations at local schools, businesses, churches, civic groups, and other organizations. Students are also involved in community outreach programs where they raise money and supplies for charitable organizations and for individuals who are less fortunate.

 

Under the mentorship of local engineering professionals, FIRST® Team 79 Krunch student team members learn problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills in a collaborative work environment. These extremely motivated students work in sub-teams of Mechanical, Electrical and Software engineering. Skills are acquired in public speaking, communications, business writing, marketing, networking, leadership, and problem solving, which makes them more attractive candidates for careers in various STEM fields. Most of FIRST® Team 79 Krunch team members continue onto college with over 90% pursuing a STEM career. Local businesses also benefit from this program as they are able to hire employees who already have the necessary skills and education needed to perform their jobs successfully.

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FIRST® Team 79 Krunch is more than just a group of students, mentors, and volunteers who meet to build a robot; they are a family that strives to take care of their community while working on common goals as an award-winning competitive robotics team. Supporting the educational needs of our student team members is an important part of our program and mission to spread interest in STEM. To see what this team has accomplished in over 25 years, please visit their website.