F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Igniting young minds. Teaching life skills. Nurturing passions for science and technology. Practicing “Gracious Professionalism™.” F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY (501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY  It’s a competitive sport.  It’s a life experience.  It’s opportunity.  It’s community.  It’s amazing.

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST learning … … never stops building upon itself, starting at age six and continuing through middle and high-school levels up to age eighteen. Young people can join at any level. Participants master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and technology through robotics.

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen Devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology, and math. 303,000+ students 29,200+ teams 25,000 robots 120,500+ mentors and volunteers More than 50 countries 2012/13

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Who is it for?  For students (ages 6-18): the hardest fun you’ll ever have.  For mentors, coaches, volunteers: the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever undertake.  For sponsors: the most enlightened investment you could ever make.

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY ✔ Varsity Sport for the Mind™ ✔ Strict rules, limited resources, time limits ✔ Students mentored by professional engineers ✔ Teams learn, use sophisticated hardware and software ✔ Build and compete with robots of their own design ✔ Qualify for >$18million in scholarships What is FRC?

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY  June - DecFundraising/prototyping  Sept - DecRegistration  Jan 4Kickoff  Feb 18 Robots Bagged  March - AprilCompetition Timeline

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Why Robots? FIRST is NOT about students building robots FIRST robotics builds: technology literacy intuitive problem solvers collaborative innovators

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Why Robots?

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Why Robots?

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 21 st Century Learning Rigorous and Relevant Future-Think Highly-Skilled Workforce Meaningful and Well-Paying Jobs Project-Based Community as a Laboratory

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Education in Science & Technology  FIRST Robotics 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 Source: Brandeis University, Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Sponsorship Get involved Volunteer Opportunities:  Mentor a team in your area  Mentor a team remotely  Volunteer at the NC Regional “There’s something about changing a young person’s life and giving them direction that keeps me going.” General Motors FIRST Volunteer

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY An FRC Team is Like a Stool….

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Sponsorship Get involved Mentor an area team  hours every 1 to 2 weeks between now and January 4  Skill-building, planning, research, team-building  2+ hours every week during build season – Jan 4 to Feb 18  Strong need for technical mentors – mechanical, electrical, programming  Also need help with business plan writing, essays for various awards, social media and outreach activities

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Sponsorship Get involved Mentor a Team Remotely  Be the “help desk” for the team  Answer questions via , phone, text  Use Skype, Google Hangouts or other similar tools to meet virtually with the team  CAD, programming and social media work well with this kind of mentoring  Great need for mentors for teams in rural areas!

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Sponsorship Get involved Volunteer at the NC Regional Tournament  March 19, 20, 21, 2015  One day and three day positions  Some technical, some non-technical  Three day positions: Referee, Master of Ceremonies, Control Systems Advisor, Safety Advisors  One day positions: Field, Spare Parts, Ushers, Various admin-type roles  Register in VIMS

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY NC FIRST To Mentor a Team: Please register here.here We will be in touch to connect you to a team! To Volunteer for the NC Regional Tournament: Please register here.here We will contact you in January to finalize your assignment and make sure you have all the information you need. *(When registering in VIMS, please note that you will encounter errors if using IE as your browser. Please use another browser when using VIMS.)

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Thank you!! For more information: Marie Hopper Executive Director – NC FIRST Robotics Angie Barger – Volunteer Coordinator usfirst.org ncfirstrobotics.org Questions?