Post on 25-Dec-2015
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
FIRST®
Inspiring Students, Educators, Professionals and
Communities
Patricia DePraFIRST Regional DirectorWestern PA - Pittsburgh
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Agenda
Overview of FIRST ProgramsImpactWhat makes FRC such a unique
experience; How is FRC different?The nature of the game
Opportunities
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
» FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for high-school-aged young people
» FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) for ages 9 to 14
» FIRST Technical Challenge, a more accessible program for high-school-aged youth
» Also:– Junior FLL, for ages 6 to 9
(pilot)– FIRST Place, an R&D facility
and science & technology resource to the community
FIRST Programs
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
FIRST®:
“To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.” Dean Kamen, Founder
Vision
Mission
To inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
“We want to change the culture by celebrating the mind. We need to show kids that it’s more fun to design and create a video game than it is to play one.”
Dean KamenFounder
Dean Kamen, FounderFIRST®:
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
“…It’s like life. You never have enough information. You never have enough time. The kit of materials is what you have in the warehouse. There are always competing things and you must have a strategy. We’ve created a microcosm of the real engineering experience.”
Woodie Flowers FIRST National
Advisor
How It WorksFIRST® Robotics Competition:
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
» Combines the excitement of sport with science and technology
» Creates a unique varsity sport for the mind
» Grade 9-12 students (ages 14-18) discover the value of education and careers in science, technology, and engineering
How It WorksFIRST® Robotics Competition:
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
» Mission is to INSPIRE, not EDUCATE
» BUT look at what is involved:
– Math (algebra, geometry, trig, calculus)
– Science (physics, chemistry, experimentation)
– Language arts (writing, public speaking)
– Business (marketing, PR, fundraising)
– Finance (accounting)
– Computer Science (programming, 3D animation)
– Fabrication (woodworking, metalworking)
– Mentorship: Working side-by-side with professionals
– Teamwork
– Gracious ProfessionalismTM
– CoopertitionTM
FIRST® Robotics Competition:
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
FIRST® Robotics Competition: 2010 FRC Season
» 1,809 teams
» 45,000+ high-school students
» From 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada (4 provinces), Chile, Germany, Herzegovina, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Turkey, U.K., U.S. (50 states)
» 44 Regionals/State Championships7 District Competitions
» 340 teams advance to FIRST Championship
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
ScholarshipsImpact:
Over $14 million in scholarship awards available to FIRST participants
“I am very thankful for the inspiration that the FIRST experience gave me, and for this scholarship that allows me to be at a top institution, headed for a challenging and intriguing career.”
Drew Blackburn, FRC AlumniGeorgia Tech FIRST Scholarship Winner
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
8,000,000
9,000,000
10,000,000
11,000,000
12,000,000
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
» FIRST students vs. comparison group
» Seek education in science & technology» Twice as likely to major in science or engineering» More than three times as likely to major specifically in engineering
Education in Science & TechnologyImpact:
Source: Brandeis University, Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Careers in Science & TechnologyImpact:
» FIRST students vs. comparison group
» Earn career opportunities: » Almost ten times more likely to have
internship
» Expect to pursue science & technology careers:
» More than twice as likely to pursue S&T career
» Nearly four times as likely to pursue career specifically in engineering
Source: Brandeis University, Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Model for Success
Business Government
Education
Social Investors
Community
Mentors Volunteers Fundraising
Teachers Facilities Scholarships
Funding Research
Volunteers Organizations
Policy Support Recognition Funding
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
How FIRST is different Project Management Experience• 6 weeks ! to build a robot• Design challenges; creativity• Computer programming challenges• Mechanical challenges• Safety considerations• Complex rules• Cost containment and record-keeping• Teamwork• Marketing & Fundraising• and more …
Mentors (technical and non-technical): Interaction with professionals and college students
Scholarships
The Game and the Nature of the Competition: Gracious ProfessionalismTM and CoopertitionTM
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
How FIRST is different The Game and the Nature of the Competition: CoopertitionTM and
Gracious ProfessionalismTM
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
How FIRST is Different
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
“Sport for the mind” combines the excitement of sport with science and technology
Problem solving and creativity with new challenges every year
Teams of young people with mentors
A tight timeline to learn efficiency and effectiveness
The hardest fun you’ll ever have…
How FIRST is Different
And More:
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
How FIRST is different
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Beyond the Robot
Other Team Member Roles beyond the build may include:
•Publicity, Marketing: Creating a team brand
•Media Relations
•Government Relations: Contacting elected officials
•Form a parent booster club
•Fundraising
•Team Finance/Budget
•Creating a Business Plan
•Community Outreach Events
•Outreach to younger students, teams
•Award Submissions
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
How FIRST is Different
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Teams and Robots in the Pits
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Community Events
Chamber of CommerceNeighborhood FestivalsSchool Events
Consider inviting your Regional Director who can provide FIRST brochures/displays, (or provide them with brochures if they like), a monitor / slide show, and be available to answer questions about FIRST. Note: My roles at things like this are to help with team promotion first and regional promotion second (i.e. I stand back and let the students and mentors promote the team, and will talk about FIRST when asked).
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
The FIRST Organization
Headquarters in Manchester, NY
Lots of support and information / website
FLL – FTC – Partners run the competitions
Regional Directors; some Assistant Regional Directors
Executive Advisory Board
Regional Planning Committee
Volunteers – Kickoff, FRC Competitions
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
Pittsburgh FIRST thanks our sponsors:
Swanson Center for Product Innovation
for donating theirstaffed machine shop
for the Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition!
for sponsoring and staffing the5th Gear Simulation
Tournament!for offering
discounts to area teams!
“…to create a world where science and technology are
celebrated….where young people dream of becoming
science and technology heroes….”
Dean Kamen, Founder
FIRST
Questions?