FIRST Robotics Canada, in collaboration with Logics Academy, is transforming robotics education by introducing students and teachers to FTC SIM, an innovative virtual simulator designed to bring the FIRST Tech Challenge experience to life. This partnership expands access to robotics learning by offering a game‑based environment where learners can explore coding, engineering concepts, and problem‑solving skills in a safe, hands‑on digital space. Together, FIRST Canada and Logics Academy are making competitive robotics more accessible, engaging, and inclusive for classrooms across the country.

“The fact that FTC SIM could be used right
away with students to teach robotics without
the need for all the hardware at first is great!”

Teacher TDSB, Ontario

Challenge

FIRST Robotics Canada was looking for ways to enhance their FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) simulator learning experience for students and teachers in grades 4-9 across Canada thanks to the CanCode initiative. To ensure the best possible learning experience, the simulator required new user-friendly lessons to be developed, including self-directed activities, culminating in a final challenge. Teachers and students who use the FTC SIM virtual environment are encouraged to further participate in the FTC competition. FIRST was also looking for more avenues to equip Canadian youth with the skills they need to be prepared for the jobs of the future.

Solution

In partnership with the FIRST Robotics Canada, Logics Academy developed a refreshed user-friendly learning experience for FTC SIM, a free, online virtual environment in which students, teachers and teams can learn and apply programming skills to pre-designed virtual FTC robots. Lessons in both English and French were designed and created to match the new learning pathways and were aligned to all Canadian provincial standards in subject areas such as Math, Technology and more. These resources included detailed lesson plans with descriptions, images, and sample answers to easily allow teachers to learn how to use FTC SIM in the classroom. In addition, Logics offered ongoing digital literacy training sessions for educations and co-taught lessons for students to advance their skills in STEM.

Results

Logics delivered student co-teaching and educator training sessions starting in April 2022 and concluding in March 2024. During this 2-year window, more than 2,300 teachers and over 57,000 students were engaged in various virtual and in-person workshops all around STEM and coding education. In addition, the successful implementation of the new FTC SIM user journey launched in September 2023 and can be accessed for free at FTC SIM website.The newly developed teacher-friendly lesson plans were launched to provide step-by-step instruction including three learning streams. The learning resources can be accessed for free at https://learn.logicsacademy.com/p/ftc-simcurriculum-bundle/.

For more information, contact info@logicsacademy.com

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