FIRST Robotics Teaches Science, Math, Technology

Robots Provide Learning by Doing Opportunity for Students

Oct 27, 2008

FIRST robotics provides a stimulating way to engage students of all ages and both genders in math, science and technology education.

FIRST, which stands for, “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology ,” is a robotics program for elementary through high school aged students that seeks 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 mission statement, US First.org)

Among the most innovative of youth programs, FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, best known for developing the Segway electric vehicle, but also the inventor of life changing medical technologies such as a stair climbing wheelchair and a home dialysis machine.

FIRST Programs

In 2008, FIRST programs reached nearly 200,000 children around the nation, with the help of over 80,000 volunteers, including mentors and event volunteers. It’s available to children in public, private or homeschool environments, and accessible to students of all levels of ability and interest.

Each level offers spirited competition based programs where children design robots to complete a different series of challenges each year. All the programs challenge students to solve a common problems during a six to eight week build period, using a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules. Gracious Professionalism is a hallmark goal of all the programs, and fun is the order of the day.

Gracious Professionalism

Gracious Professionalism is a big part of the FIRST experience. The phrase was coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. who suggests some common attributes of the practice.

“In FIRST, one of the most straightforward interpretations of gracious professionalism is that we learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. … Knowledge, pride, and empathy comfortably blended.” [Gracious Professionalism: A FIRST Credo]

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

FRC is the oldest of the FIRST offerings, geared towards high level science and technology education at the high school level. Teams construct large scale robots to compete in an annual challenge developed by Dean Kamen and other FIRST officials.

While scoring well is encouraged, points scored during the actual competition are secondary to character based achievements demonstrated by team spirit and gracious professionalism. Competitions are marked by wacky costumes and technorock.

There are nearly 2000 FRC teams worldwide, serving over 40,000 high school students.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

A newer program, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a mid-level robotics competition for high-school students, providing the challenge of FRC but with a far more accessible and affordable robotics kit (under $1000 as opposed to the tens of thousands that FRC costs).

FTC strives to reach more young people with a more accessible opportunity to learn about science, technology, and engineering. About 1000 teams serve 10,000 students worldwide.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

FLL, an elementary and middle school robotics program for 9-14 year olds, hit the ground running several years ago, and has become wildly successful, with more than 13,000 teams engaging 135,000 students.

The FLL program not only includes a robotic challenge based on current, real world issues, but also a research component that requires students to study and present solutions to a real problem. FLL robots are also completely autonomous, requiring students to program them using standard engineering concepts. And there's plenty of loud music, dance and costumes here, too.

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL)

Jr. FLL is the newest of the FIRST programs, for children ages 6-9. 1200 teams with 6000 children work with coaches and mentors to learn the benefits of teamwork and basic engineering design skills. Jr. FLL members also research and report on a real world issue.

All four FIRST robotics programs provide fun and engaging ways for boys and girls of all ages to learn about science and technology, while also gaining the skills they need to become well-rounded, self-confident learners and leaders.

To learn more about how to bring FIRST robotics into your education program, visit USFIRST.org.

The copyright of the article FIRST Robotics Teaches Science, Math, Technology in Youth Activities is owned by Theresa Willingham. Permission to republish FIRST Robotics Teaches Science, Math, Technology in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.