Event Preferences - More Q, More A, and an Unnecessary U

Sep 01, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick

We’ve answered a few more questions that have popped up in response to our blog announcing the move to a preference system for event assignment. We also added detail to one of the original answers that was incomplete. You can find this information in an FAQ document posted here.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers: K–12 and Beyond

Aug 30, 2017 By Nancy Boyer, Director of Research & Evaluation, FIRST


The following article was originally published by the IEEE Computer Society in the July 2017 issue of Computer magazine as part of a special issue on challenge-based learning.

Preparing a 21st century workforce requires educators to actively engage students to become critical thinkers and active learners through challenging-based learning. FIRST engages students to work in teams with industry professionals and accomplish a specific science-based or engineering challenge through the exploration of multiple technologies and methodologies, including programming languages, computer-aided design, mechanics, electronics, and internet research.

Pool Noodles!

Aug 30, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick

You will need pool noodles to construct robot bumpers for the 2018 game. Among other things, this enhances the buoyancy of your robot.*

Event Preferences – Some Questions, Answered

Aug 24, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick

Last week, we blogged about the upcoming shift to a preference model, away from first-come-first-served, for FIRST Robotics Competition team event assignment.

How 3 Teachers Who Knew Nothing About Robotics Started a FIRST Program

Aug 23, 2017

The following article was originally published on We Are Teachers.

When Maureen Reilly, fourth-grade teacher at PS 261 in Brooklyn, NY, decided to co-lead a FIRST® LEGO® League team at her school, she had no idea what to expect.

Saying ‘Thanks’

Aug 22, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick

There’s a proverb, or at least people say there’s a proverb*, that “It takes a village to raise a child.” Regardless of the extent to which that saying rings true to you, I think it generally does take a village to support a FIRST Robotics Competition team.

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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Joaquin Nuno-Whelan

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Connecting students with role models

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Joaquin Nuno-Whelan

FIRST Mentor; Chief Engineer, Next Gen Trucks, General Motors

Joaquin Nuno-Whelan, General Motors’ Chief Engineer, Next Gen Trucks, considers FIRST – which has a robust presence in Michigan – part of GM’s recruiting program. “These young engineers want to participate because it’s a way for them to network and develop leadership skills,” he said. “I also get to see who the high-potential young talents are and provide them with career guidance.”

A few years ago, Nuno-Whelan partnered with the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) in southwest Detroit to start FIRST teams in underserved communities. The program provided space and equipment, and has grown from two to 11 teams.

Nuno-Whelan works with FIRST Robotics Competition teams out of DHDC’s Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit. The Center helps kids acquire and develop the skills needed to pursue careers in science and technology. “We’ll have 200 kids and 50 or 60 mentors working together in one big space,” said Nuno-Whelan. “There is just amazing energy.”

“We want to give these same opportunities to kids who come from economically challenged neighborhoods,” said Nuno-Whelan. “They get the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors who have come to Detroit from all over the country and the world to work and participate in these programs.”

The program just finished its third build season, and each year Nuno-Whelan sees more students pursue engineering or business degrees after graduation, inspired by FIRST.

Paulina Torres was among the first to move through the program, which includes about 50 percent female participants and several young female mentors, and companies are competing to hire her, says Nuno-Whelan.

Nuno-Whelan is excited that his participants get the opportunity to work with Hispanic role models who are aspiring to engineering and STEM careers. “When I work with the kids and can point to one of our mentors and say, ‘Do you realize you just did that better than that guy who graduated from MIT? If you can do this, you can do anything.’ That’s pretty cool.”


INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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Harrison Ford

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From FIRST LEGO League to FIRST Mentor

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Harrison Ford

FIRST Alum & Mentor

Harrison Ford got his start with FIRST LEGO League in fifth grade at his elementary school in Flint, Michigan. He’d always been fascinated by science and invention, but says he probably wouldn’t have gotten involved in STEM without FIRST. “I would have been interested in robotics, but I wouldn’t have had the exposure. There were no other STEM-related programs in my school,” he explained.

Family difficulties forced a hiatus in high school, but Ford (no relation to the actor) came back senior year and won a FIRST scholarship to Kettering University. His experience with FIRST prepared him for college, both academically and on a personal level. He learned to use basic tools and took a CAD course, skills that paid off at Kettering.

The real benefit was the way it enlarged his world. “As an African American coming from Flint, I got to see many different types of communities and had relationships with other people and cultures that I never would have been exposed to,” Ford said. “I can learn technical skills by reading a book. I can’t learn about people unless I actually get to meet them.”

Today as a mentor, he’s introducing a new generation of kids to FIRST. “The majority of kids that I have on my team are inner-city kids, and they come with their own backgrounds, stories, and problems,” Ford explained. “As a mentor, I focus on trying to build them into better individuals rather than trying to get them to hurry up and build a robot. The ultimate goal is for them to go to college or learn a trade.” At the FIRST Robotics Community Center at Kettering, team members get tutoring, as well as robotics training, and there are strict academic standards for participating in away meets and out-of-state trips.

Ford’s team has had success sending kids to college. One alumna of his team is now enrolled at Kettering. An alumnus got a full ride to Western Michigan. As for Ford, he’s now working full-time for Chrysler. And, after speaking at the Kettering FIRST Center’s opening ceremony alongside FIRST Founder Dean Kamen and Michigan Governor Snyder, he’s become one of FIRST in Michigan’s best spokespersons. He was recently invited to Governor Snyder’s State of the State address, where he and FIRST in Michigan were recognized.


Rookie Grants Available!

Aug 21, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick

Are you starting a new FIRST Robotics Competition team, or helping one get started? We’ve got a wodge of cash for you! 

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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Emma Dumont on the set of The Fosters (tv show)

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FIRST teaches students how to be gracious professionals

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Emma Dumont

FIRST Alumna & Mentor

I have learned so many skills in FIRST that have carried over to my acting career. Gracious Professionalism, on its own, is one of the most important things that I use every single day of my life. I use the lessons about team work on every set and project. On the business side, I’ve learned how to deal with contracts and marketing, public relations and high stress situations. As for my technical skills, they really help me grow close with my crew on set because I understand all of the hard, technical work that goes into every scene. I love going to the woodshop and talking to them about how they create our sets and with such strict time constraints.

Another value FIRST instills is how to give back. That's why immediately after graduation I started mentoring. The most important thing we can do is try to change the lives of young people and perhaps give them opportunities they may have not gotten any other way. We're creating the next generation of innovators and leaders, and that's something that shouldn't be taken lightly.

FIRST changes the lives of everyone it touches. Not just students: mentors, volunteers, sponsors and people who work for FIRST. It changed my life. I can honestly say that FIRST has made me a better person, and now I hope to pay it forward.