FIRST (For
Inspiration and Recognition
of Science and Technology)
was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science
and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3)
not-for-profit organization designs accessible, innovative programs to
build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young
people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and
math. FIRST's Vision is to positively transform culture by inspiring
young people, their schools, and communities to appreciate science and
technology. FIRST brings together schools with
businesses, and students with professionals as mentors, all with the
support of local universities.
 The
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an exciting,
multinational competition that teams professionals and young people to
solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way.
The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience—and a lot of
fun. In 2008, the competition reached over 37,000 high-school-aged
young people on over 1,501 teams in 41 regional events. FRC teams came
from all 50 states, 4 provinces, and 8 countries. The
competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of lots
of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring,
project timelines, and deadlines.
 Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals
provided almost $10 million in
college scholarships to
FRC participants
in 2008. Involved engineers experience
again many of the reasons they chose engineering as a profession, and
the companies they work for contribute to the community while they
prepare and create their future workforce. The competition shows
students that the technological fields hold many opportunities and that
the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention are
exciting and interesting.
Winning necessitates cooperation among teams that have never
met before. In a competition that has nothing to do with smashing
another robot, FRC teams of students and their
mentors have six weeks to design and build a robot from a standard kit
of parts to compete at FIRST Regional Events under the principles of
"gracious professionalism."
 The
FIRST Tech™ Challenge (FTC)
is a mid-level robotics competition principally for high-school-aged
students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but
with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. The ultimate goal of
FTC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible
opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science,
technology, and engineering.
 For
9-14 year-olds, there is
FIRST LEGO League. The FIRST LEGO League
(FLL), considered the "little league" of the FIRST Robotics Competition,
is the result of a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. FLL
extends the FIRST concept of inspiring and celebrating science and
technology to children usually aged 9 through 14, using real-world
context and hands-on experimentation. In 2008 the competition
reached more than 135,000 students on 13,500 teams worldwide. The teams
came from 38 countries and almost every U.S. state.
With the help of LEGO® MINDSTORMS™ Robotics Invention System™
technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a
friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age
group. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and
gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer
programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot
inventions.
 Junior
FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) offers an exciting opportunity for younger
budding scientists will introduce the core concepts of all FIRST
programs to inspire, excite, and introduce children to the wonders of
science, technology, and engineering. Created in partnership with the
LEGO Group, Jr.FLL is geared to children aged 6 to 9 years old and
utilizes a modified FIRST LEGO League framework. Teams of up to 6
children and an adult mentor receive a mini challenge, based on the
annual FLL research project. In 2008 the competition
reached more than 6,000 students on 1,200 teams in the United States and
Canada. Using an open-ended LEGO building set, they
will design a model depicting an aspect of this year’s FLL
Challenge. Children will spend approximately one month exploring,
investigating, designing and building a model made with LEGO bricks. In
conjunction, teams create a "Show Me" poster that depicts the teams’
experience during this process, through drawings and words. Teams
celebrate and share their experience with other teams, family and
friends at local events or at an official Jr.FLL Expo. The celebration
includes time to enhance the teams’ current models and show their
poster, meet with friendly "Reviewers" to share their experiences, and
receive recognition for their efforts. |
