Engineering and Engineering and Technology EducationTechnology Education

FIRSTFIRST ROBOTICSROBOTICS

F.I.R.S.T.F.I.R.S.T.

For Inspiration and For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Recognition of Science and

TechnologyTechnology

Why Why

Students lack Students lack PASSIONASSION

Students lack Students lack LLeadership skillseadership skills

Students lack a since of Students lack a since of CCommunityommunity Students lack understanding of Students lack understanding of

technology and engineeringtechnology and engineering

My CriteriaMy Criteria

An extra-curricular that had the An extra-curricular that had the same elements for sportssame elements for sports

Multi-competition availabilityMulti-competition availability Used many of the elements of TEUsed many of the elements of TE Leadership training and opportunityLeadership training and opportunity Outside the typical community boxOutside the typical community box

FIRST VisionFIRST 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 MissionFIRST 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 LeagueFIRST Lego League

Ages 9-14Ages 9-14 Theme oriented competitionTheme oriented competition Four equal elements to the competitionFour equal elements to the competition

– Robot DesignRobot Design– Robot PerformanceRobot Performance– TeamworkTeamwork– Research ProjectResearch Project

2010 2010 Challenge...BIOMEDICAL

FIRST Tech Challenge FIRST Tech Challenge (formerly FIRST VEX Challenge)(formerly FIRST VEX Challenge)

High School AgeHigh School Age Mid-level robotics competitionMid-level robotics competition 8 Awards given for each competition8 Awards given for each competition 35 competition sites nationwide35 competition sites nationwide

FIRST FRCFIRST FRC

High school age studentsHigh school age students 11 Regional Awards at 40 events11 Regional Awards at 40 events 12 Championship Awards12 Championship Awards Design and build a robot in 6 weeksDesign and build a robot in 6 weeks Web PageWeb Page Computer AnimationComputer Animation Business PlanBusiness Plan Community involvementCommunity involvement

1,686 teams1,686 teams

Over 42,000 high-school-aged Over 42,000 high-school-aged studentsstudents

Average 25 students per teamAverage 25 students per team

EventsEvents– 40 Regional competitions40 Regional competitions– 7 District competitions & 1 7 District competitions & 1

State Championship (Michigan State Championship (Michigan only)only)

– 1 1 FIRSTFIRST Championship Championship

340 teams advance to 340 teams advance to FIRSTFIRST ChampionshipChampionship

1,686

1,501

1,307

1,133

991

927

787

642

515

271

199151

28

372

0

100

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1,000

1,100

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'92 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09

FRC FRC 2009 “Lunacy” Season

FIRST ImpactFIRST ImpactEducation 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 ImpactMore FIRST ImpactCareers in Science & TechnologyFIRST 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

8847

7501

4331

3001

1902

200

9601540

13705

10607

5849

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

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9000

10000

11000

12000

13000

14000

15000

98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05' '06 '07 '08

US/Canada Out US/Canada

13,705 teams

137,050 middle-school-age students

42 countries

450+ qualifying events

89 Championship tournaments

Even More ImpactEven More Impact

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

ConclusionConclusion

FIRST can transform your school FIRST can transform your school perception about perception about Engineering/Technology Education.Engineering/Technology Education.

Valuable real world experiencesValuable real world experiences Student world-wide networking Student world-wide networking