PRESS ROOM & NEWS

Organizations Team Up to Churn Out Next Generation of STEM Workforce

MANCHESTER, N.H., September 4, 2014― FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international not-for-profit K-12 organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, today announced an Alliance collaboration with the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). This Alliance aims to promote engineering careers and education to students across the country, exposing them to all the possibilities a degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) can offer.

“ASEE shares in the vision of FIRST to enhance and expand the engineering and STEM workforce of the nation,” said Dr. Nicholas J. Altiero, president of ASEE. “The skills of problem solving, team work, and critical thinking are essential for students’ success in higher education and in their subsequent careers. FIRST activities instill those skills. We look forward to our Alliance with FIRST and to promoting its family of robotics programs for children of all ages.”

This new Alliance will advocate for the importance of engineering careers and education, especially to underrepresented populations. In this effort, ASEE will promote FIRST programs to K-12 teachers who attend its engineering workshops. It will also promote Army, Navy, Air Force, and NASA scholarship and internship programs managed by ASEE to over 10,000 middle and high school FIRST students. In addition, ASEE will provide its 13,000 members information and the opportunity to support FIRST by serving as Mentors, Coaches and Volunteers.

“At FIRST, we work to ignite a passion for science and engineering through our Progression of Programs. With its extensive membership and strong relationships in the education sector, ASEE will help us offer these programs to more kids from more diverse backgrounds, allowing us to engage a future workforce in the unique experience that is FIRST,” said FIRST President Donald E. Bossi.

FIRST shares a fundamental vision with many professional groups, corporations, colleges/universities and other organizations committed to sustaining key programs that engage young minds. These important Alliances:

• Advocate and promote career opportunities in STEM, in grades K-12;
• Build on existing STEM related programs; and/or
• Seek ways to engage their memberships in FIRST Mentor/Coach opportunities as a means of workforce development, increased community involvement and/or to encourage employees to give back to the communities where they live/work.

About ASEE
Founded in 1893, the American Society for Engineering Education is a nonprofit organization committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. It accomplishes this mission by promoting excellence in instruction, research, public service, and practice; exercising worldwide leadership; fostering the technological education of society; and providing quality products and services to members. To learn more about ASEE, go to www.asee.org.

About FIRST^®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $20 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^®) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC^® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL^® ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism^® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.