FIRST Of All…

So the P.A.C.E. Invaders are part of the FIRST Robotics competition - well what is FIRST? FIRST is an organization created by inventor Dean Kamen, hoping to “create a world where science and technology are celebrated … where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes …” (Dean Kamen)  We’ve broken it down into four categories.  Founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science And Technology) is 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charity.

The D.K. Magic

Dean Kamen is the Founder of FIRST and President of DEKA Research & Development Corporation. DEKA is a dynamic company focused on the development of revolutionary new technologies spanning across a huge field of applications. As an inventor, physicist, and entrepreneur, Kamen has dedicated his life to developing technologies that help people lead better lives. He engineered breakthrough medical devices like the HomeChoice® portable dialysis machine, marketed by Baxter Healthcare, and the Independence® IBOT® 4000 Mobility System, a sophisticated mobility aid, developed for Johnson & Johnson. Kamen is also widely recognized as the inventor of the Segway® Human Transporter, which was designed to provide a clean alternative for short distance travel and enhance people’s productivity. One of Kamen’s newest projects is a water purification system that is being designed to help provide clean drinking water to the estimated 1.1 billion people in the world who lack access to clean water. Kamen received the Heinz Award in Technology, the Economy and Employment (1998), the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton (2000), the Lemelson-MIT Prize (2002), and numerous honorary degrees. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005. Among Kamen’s proudest accomplishment is founding FIRST. The program reaches dozens of thousands of youth of all ages though different leagues. It teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way.

Vision

Dean Kamen has a mission: 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 is undoubtedly an excellent way to foster this vision.  For in the spirit of healthy competition young people can develop all of these areas from within themselves.

Impact

Impact
 Recently, Brandeis University’s Center for Youth and Communities conducted an independent, retrospective survey of FIRST Robotics Competition participants and compared results to a group of non-FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, including math and science. Highlights of the studies findings include:

Tech Specs

When compared with the comparison group, FIRST students are:

• More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
• Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year.
• Significantly more likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree.
• More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology.
• Nearly 4 times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.
• More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities.

Overall FIRST reaches:
•Over 156,000 students
•12,911 robots
•44,000 mentors
•28,000 event volunteers

Gracious professionalism

Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, coined the term “Gracious Professionalism.”Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.  With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.