For the first time, Canyon Ridge High School robotics team hosted an FTC (First Tech Challenge) robotics competition, drawing 21 teams from across Idaho and providing students with a unique opportunity to showcase their engineering skills locally.
Typically held in Boise, the annual event was brought to the Magic Valley this year through the collaboration of local organizers, CRHS staff, and school administration. “We were excited that the person running the event this year was from Filer and wanted to hold it in Twin Falls,” said Mr. Todd Anderson, CRHS’s engineering teacher and robotics coach.
FTC challenges change yearly, requiring students to redesign and reprogram their robots to meet new game objectives. Teams must work cooperatively and competitively in alliance matches, where two schools work together as one team against two other schools also working as a group.
CRHS entered two teams in this year’s competition: their established engineering-focused team and a new team created specifically to engage multilingual learners. “I wanted to give them a chance to learn and compete without feeling overwhelmed by the skills gap on the main team,” Anderson explained. The newly formed group, composed of students Awab Abdalrahman, Kawat Adam, and Wisal Noristani, impressed with a strong first-year showing, with Anderson noting they “did really, really, really good.”
Student leadership played a key role. Seniors Landon Corless and Kawat Adam served as team leads, with Landon being the non-international team leader, and Kawat being the international leader. helping coordinate the efforts of programmers, builders, and drivers. “They’re the big-picture thinkers,” Anderson said. “They help make key decisions, keep the team on track, and encourage their peers.”
Support also came from community partners, including an engineer mentor from Seastrom Manufacturing, Teresa Stenek, who guided students through design and troubleshooting processes.
Anderson emphasized the value of student-driven learning and the importance of continuous improvement. “Every year, we wish we had more time,” he said, noting time management and collaboration as key growth areas.
For Anderson, the best accomplishment is watching students take ownership. “It’s not a class project,” he said. “They make all their own decisions — and all the success is because of them.”
