The Foundation for Community Driven Innovation (FCDI) was founded by a group of FIRST mentors to provide not-for-profit cross program support of Tampa Bay area FIRST programs and general project based learning and skills development for all ages. Over the last three years, FCDI has been a driving force beyond ROBOTICON, spearheading development of a Tampa Bay Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Center (AMRoC) and directing the investment of over $100,000 in support of Tampa Bay area FIRST teams and related STEM programming. As a matter of fact, FIRST Robotics Competition teams at ROBOTICON 2018 will be playing Power Up! on the new FRC field the nonprofit had built right here in Tampa Bay, to be the anchor piece for AMRoC.
FCDI Board of Directors receiving contribution from Lighting Community Hero Program
AMROC is intended to be an academic and career talent pipeline for Science, Technology and Manufacturing in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida region, as well as to provide an avenue for recognized industry certifications for youth and adults. AMRoC will also provide resources for a variety of fabrication and rapid prototyping needs, small scale manufacturing, programming, design and project development, in collaboration with academic , business and community partners from the Tampa Bay area. AMRoC was seeded by an Argosy Foundation grant, along with funding support from a Lightning Community Hero Award given to FCDI Executive Director Terri Willingham, last November. and support from SOFWERX, and the St. Petersburg College Foundation.
Tampa Bay area FRC teams at 2018 Power Up Kick off at SOFWERX
FCDI also coordinates with other local agencies and nonprofits for events throughout the year, including the annual Tampa Bay FIRST Robotics Competition live kick off, in collaboration with SOFWERX; Robot in 1 Weekend and Gulf Coast Maker & Comic Con.
All these events and programs are designed to provide an engaging way for participants to experience empowering hands on learning that hopefully inspires people of all ages to live and work in ways in active, meaningful, productive, and personally and socially fulfilling ways.
FCDI is proud to partner with the University of South Florida, Hillsborough County, Lockheed Martin, Jabil, JP Morgan Chase, the Florida High Tech Corridor and all the fine organizations and companies that make ROBOTICON possible.
Public admission to ROBOTICON is FREE! Secure your tickets today at Eventbrite. FIRST teams can register here.
Click here to get your free tickets to ROBOTICON 2018!