for inspiration and recognition of science and technology first ® inspiring students, educators,...

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




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




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.




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®:




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:




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:




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:




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




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




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




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




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




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




Dean Kamen, Founder

How FIRST is different The Game and the Nature of the Competition: CoopertitionTM and

Gracious ProfessionalismTM




Dean Kamen, Founder

How FIRST is Different




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…


And More:




Dean Kamen, Founder

How FIRST is different




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




Dean Kamen, Founder





Dean Kamen, Founder

Teams and Robots in the Pits




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).




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




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!




Dean Kamen, Founder

FIRST

Questions?

for inspiration and recognition of science and technology first ® inspiring students, educators,...

Documents

science technology resource

technology heroes

technology leaders

recognition of science

technology skills

dean kamen founder dean

calculus science physics

aged young people