Transcript Intro to FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science & Technology
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FIRST is an organization devoted to
helping young people discover and
develop a passion for science,
engineering, technology, and math
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen
Based in Manchester, New Hampshire
Comprises
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Jr. FLL (Junior FIRST Lego League) – elementary aged
FLL (FIRST Lego League) – middle school aged
FTC (FIRST Technical Challenge) – high school aged
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) - high school aged
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What is it?
A unique varsity Sport for the Mind™ designed to help highschool-aged young people discover how interesting and
rewarding the lives of engineers and scientists can be.
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Why is it unique?
It is a sport where participants play with and learn from
pros
 Designing and building a robot is a fascinating real-world
professional experience
 Competing brings participants as much excitement and
adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments
 The game rules are a surprise every year
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The FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) stages short
2 minute games played by robots
The game is released the first weekend in January
 The robots are designed and built in six weeks (from a
common baseline set of parts) by:
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 A team of high-school-aged young people
 A handful of engineers-Mentors
Competitions occur in March &
April
 The students remotely control
the robots in competition rounds
on the large playing field (27’x54’)
 There is a 15 second period of
autonomous operation too
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Gracious Professionalism
Scholarships
Nearly $15 million in college scholarships
 925+ individual offerings
 145+ scholarship providers
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Real-World
Hands-on
Science or Engineering College/Career
Mentorship
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School
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Teachers
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Fun, exciting, cool
Mentors
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Fully engaged students, hands-on learning, applied science
Students
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Practical application of curriculum, good press
Nourish another generation, reverse-inspiration
Parents
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Career choices, scholarships, involvement