F.I.R.S.T.

First Logo

What's FIRST?

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology was created in 1989 by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers to inspire youth into science, engineering, and technology. Their main plan is to promote a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration amongst students and young engineers. From here, Gracious Professionalism is derived.

Gracious Professionalism

Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at the 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.

In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.

Text above from the FIRST website

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

The FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. As of early 2007, 1,303 high school teams of 32,500 students from Brazil, Canada, The Netherlands, Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and others compete to build robots weighing up to 120 pounds that can complete a task that changes every year. Teams are given a standard set of parts and the game details at the beginning of January and are given six weeks to construct a competitive robot, that can operate autonomously as well as when guided by wireless controls, to accomplish the game’s tasks.

[courtesy of Wikipedia]

What's so unique about FRC?

  • Students get to learn from professional engineers about robotics and how machines work
  • Students get to build and compete with their own robot, all designed by themselves
  • Students get to learn and use advanced software from major companies such as Microsoft, Autodesk, SolidWorks, Adobe, and more
  • Students will cooperate with alliances as part of gracious professionalism
  • Students get a chance to qualify for college. FIRST has already given over $12M in scholarships

    • Text courtesy of FIRST

    FIRST can be located at http://www.usfirst.org

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