Engineering and Technology Education FIRST ROBOTICS

F.I.R.S.T. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Why Students lack ASSION Students lack P ASSION Students lack L eadership skills Students lack L eadership skills Students lack a since of C ommunity Students lack a since of C ommunity Students lack understanding of technology and engineering Students lack understanding of technology and engineering

My Criteria An extra-curricular that had the same elements for sports An extra-curricular that had the same elements for sports Multi-competition availability Multi-competition availability Used many of the elements of TE Used many of the elements of TE Leadership training and opportunity Leadership training and opportunity Outside the typical community box Outside the typical community box

FIRST Vision "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes." Dean Kamen, Founder

FIRST Mission Is 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.

FIRST Lego League Ages 9-14 Ages 9-14 Theme oriented competition Theme oriented competition Four equal elements to the competition Four equal elements to the competition –Robot Design –Robot Performance –Teamwork –Research Project Challenge...BIOMEDICAL

FIRST Tech Challenge (formerly FIRST VEX Challenge) High School Age High School Age Mid-level robotics competition Mid-level robotics competition 8 Awards given for each competition 8 Awards given for each competition 35 competition sites nationwide 35 competition sites nationwide

FIRST FRC High school age students High school age students 11 Regional Awards at 40 events 11 Regional Awards at 40 events 12 Championship Awards 12 Championship Awards Design and build a robot in 6 weeks Design and build a robot in 6 weeks Web Page Web Page Computer Animation Computer Animation Business Plan Business Plan Community involvement Community involvement

1,686 teams 1,686 teams Over 42,000 high-school-aged students Over 42,000 high-school-aged students Average 25 students per team Average 25 students per team Events Events –40 Regional competitions –7 District competitions & 1 State Championship (Michigan only) –1 FIRST Championship 340 teams advance to FIRST Championship 340 teams advance to FIRST Championship FRC FRC 2009 Lunacy Season

FIRST Impact Education in Science & Technology 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

More FIRST Impact Careers in Science & Technology 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

FLL FLL 2008 Climate Connections Season 13,705 teams 137,050 middle-school-age students 42 countries 450+ qualifying events 89 Championship tournaments

Even More Impact Over 9 millions dollars of college scholarship money available to FIRST participates. Over 9 millions dollars of college scholarship money available to FIRST participates.

Conclusion FIRST can transform your school perception about Engineering/Technology Education. FIRST can transform your school perception about Engineering/Technology Education. Valuable real world experiences Valuable real world experiences Student world-wide networking Student world-wide networking