The FTC Pits

When I was a kid, we lived on a road that led from the highway to the fairgrounds, so the last week in August we haunted the front porch waiting to see the onslaught of vendor and ride trucks hurry past. At the fairgrounds, we would stand out of the way and watch empty fields turn into a magical world of tents, booths, animal stalls, and of course, rides! Then for five days the field became its own world, bustling with lights, noise, and energy that we lived within during the day and could see and

hear from our bedroom window each night.

And then, on Tuesday morning, they were all gone, having packed up and crept away in the middle of the night to head off to other fairs and events. The absence of that temporary world was always palpable for a few days as we re-emerged from its magic into the real world and preparations for the first day of school.

If you have ever attended a FIRST Tech Challenge event, then you have also experienced a magical world called the FTC Pits. Physically, it is a space crowded with tables, posters, kids, tools, and robots. Yet, as any performer can tell you, the energy the participants bring to the event is what determines the atmosphere, and the FTC Pits are always high-energy, friendly, fun, robotic communities. If you have ever been to a street fair or festival, then you know the energy, the smells, and the noise all combine to create an enchanted moment.

If any one moment can encapsulate the FTC experience, then it is the Pits. Here you see Gracious Professionalism as teams share information, tools, and ideas. As they build friendships, make connections, and learn new concepts. Where teams celebrate their accomplishments with posters, mascots, Pit displays, cheers, and hugs. 

Teams bring their culture, snacks, and music. They dress in all variety of outfits ranging from comfortable, to professional, to goofy. Shy kids get up and start impromptu dance parties. Outgoing kids dress as sharks and meet everyone at the event.

Oftentimes, they work on robots. Frantically fixing a broken part, reworking the programming, improving the wiring, and visualizing their success on the field. Like busy bees, drive teams bustle to and from the practice fields, to and from the competition fields, to and from the team pit.

People run around trying to find their judging room, bathrooms, watching matches, posing for pictures, eating food, and if anyone has a spare battery they can share.

You see the most amazing Pit displays, but also lots of smiles, pins, buttons, tiaras, singing and dancing, and new friendships forming.

At the end of the event, when the Pits come down, you see sadness and tears. Teams that did well on the field or won awards and teams that are feeling disappointed. Friendships that an hour earlier felt impenetrable even in their newness now feel vulnerable as teams say goodbye, exchanging cell phone numbers, email address, and twitter handles.

At events, FTC comes to life for a handful of hours. An idea becomes reality, created by teams, volunteers, and sponsors. It is magic to be a part of, and the amazing energy it brings is inspiring. And then, poof, dreamlike, it is gone again. Until the next time.

We hope to see you there!