FIRST
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I've been a FIRST volunteer for 8 years. The robots, competitions, and all the excitement are fantastic yet what makes FIRST stand out for me, and why I continue to volunteer is the impact it has on students. Every year, I am amazed and impressed to see the creativity students use to solve the challenge. Without the boundary of being told that something is too hard or that something is impossible, the students accomplishments are amazing. Beyond the creativity, what I find most special about FIRST is how it builds self confidence and instills a sense of gracious professionalism in students. It's rare these days to see an organization that fosters hard competition AND at the same time maintains the perspective that HOW you win or lose is also important. Students need to learn how to win and how to lose. FIRST does a great job of giving students the opportunity to learn these lessons.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In my job I am responsible for hiring large numbers of scientists and engineers. This year when I was interviewing an outstanding candidate, they spent part of their interview telling me about an organization called FIRST and how it changed their life!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue to explore strategies for expanding FIRST into more schools
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
is seeing the positive impact it has on students
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
AMAZING!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Reach more stdents and change more lives
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to do more for FIRST
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Expanding to more schools and engaging more volunteers
One thing I'd also say is that...
The FIRST staff is an amazing group of dedicated people. If you don't know about FIRST, I'd encourage you to check out the web site and VOLUNTEER
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FIRST is an amazing organization. The premise is to encourage young folks to pursue fields in science and technology. FIRST initially started as the FIRST Robotics Competition (FTC). Then they believed that children needed to get excited about technology prior to high school, so they teamed up with LEGO and had the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for middle schoolers (9-14 years old). Now it has expanded to Junior FIRST LEGO League (6-9 year olds) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) an alternative to FRC for high school-aged students. FIRST focuses on "Gracious Professionalism." In practice, what this means is that team members will work with other teams to assist them. That includes sharing robotics parts, helping them program the robot, and even borrowing a robot when one was dropped during a competition event. Gracious Professionalism is a wonderful concept to instill in young people.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the number of girls involved and excited in science and technology. Increasing the number of girls interested in technology has been a focus of mine for over 20 years and this is the one venue where I have seen a marked increase.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...try to figure out how to get more money to fund more teams and sponsor more regional events for the teams.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
...the outreach they have to the community: the focus on reaching out to underserved and minority populations.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
...absolutely fabulous! Everyone has so much energy, is extremely friendly and accommodating, and all working toward the same goals: trying to get children interested and excited about science and technology.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
...do amazing things!! The outreach and financial support for underserved and minority populations could be expanded, the training of children and coaches could be expanded, the number of events could increase -- oh, the possibilities are endless!
Ways to make it better...
...I had more time to really spend on recruiting teams, fundraising, and providing support (financial and training) to the teams and coaches.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
...the available funds to help support teams and the event hosts.
One thing I'd also say is that...
...this is a fabulous organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of thousands of children and in the communities in which they reside.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
As Scholarship Coordinator for the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri, I have attended regional competitions to promote the University-sponsored FIRST scholarships. I have been impressed with the quality of these competitions and the enthusiasm for learning it has promoted in the student participants. FIRST helps students become well-rounded individuals with a focus on developing their technological skills.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization by meeting the students who have chosen to come to our university as a result of the FIRST scholarships that are awarded. I am impressed with their academic and problem-solving skills.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I became aware of FIRST Robotics during a competition that was held at the Kennedy Space Center. At that time I was a member of the Astronaut Corps and was invited to the competition by another astronaut, Dave Brown. I was amazed at the quality of the robots and the level of competition. Since that time I have become involved both from a planning perspective as well as a judge and a judge advisor for the Oklahoma Regional, the Dallas Regional and the National Competition in Atlanta. FIRST provides students with a way to increase their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by working alongside highly talented volunteer engineers and scientists. They work in a real world environment with limited budgets and strict time-lines to produce high quality and technically proficient robots. They take their finished product and compete at regional and national competitions against equally talented and competitive robots. FIRST teaches these students about the value of learning by doing and competing with others in a professional and gracious manner. The skill sets they learn through FIRST are incredibly valuable to their lifelong learning and professional development. I highly recommend that communities work to make FIRST a part of their educational goals for all students in their regions.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
during regional and national competitions. The students I have interviewed display an uncanny grasp of technical issues far beyond their education level.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I was asked in 2002 to attend a local FIRST robotics competition as a judge. The experience was fantastic and I knew from the start that FIRST was and still is the best organization to help excite kids to embrace science and math as a carreer of choice. FIRST has a wide range of carreer orientaed taasks for high school kids of all interests to become involved. Yes, the comptition of robots is a common goal of the teams but this is only on the surface. Once you dig deeper into the goal of each team, you will find the computer nerds to handle software issues, the mechanics to handle the machine functions, the business students to organize funding, yearly events, end etc. Junior lego competitions engage 6 - 9 year olds, LEGO competitions are for 9 year olds to 8th grade, and FIRST tech challenge and/or FIRST Robotics Competions are for High School age students. Many corporations sponsor FIRST competitions and teams within their community. Without corporate spoonsors, the students would not be able to compete (or learn) at a global level to be prepared for industry after high school. FIRST is the only organization that truely prepares participants for the challenges after high school by partnering the kids with scientist, engineers, and other professionals to complete and compete in a challenge that changes yearly, exposing the kids to new technology along the way. All high schools should allocate money to support a local team to have the opportunity to compete in this World Class organization.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
recruiting students to college.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand the Michigan Model to other heavily populated regions to draw in more teams at a reduced cost to the local community.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The excitement of the kids on each of the FIRST teams I've met.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
absolutely fantastic. Many professionals involved are top exceutives at their respective corporations that keep comming back each year, donating their time to help make the competition a success.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Finance another 20 regional events and sponsor 1200 teams by waiving the entrance fee,
Ways to make it better...
FIRST has the financial support from local, state and national governments.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
getting the number of volunteers required to expand FIRST to every school district in the USA and have the appropriate regional events to handle the teams.
One thing I'd also say is that...
high schools need to seriously consider FIRST as part of their curiculum.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I am the Principal Investigator for the TIME Center (Technology and Innovation in Manufacturing and Engineering), a Regional Center of Excellence funded by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education Program. We have worked closely with our statewide community college partners, regional FIRST partners and various stakeholder groups to support FIRST robotics as a very effective means of engaging students in problem-based learning activities that spur their innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. It has also proven to be an equally effective means of encouraging students to enter and persist in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education programs and careers. The rebuilding and repair of the STEM pipeline is critical to the continuing success of the United States in maintaining and enhancing its position in the global manufacturing and engineering marketplace, and the FIRST program has proven its value in contributing to that task. On a personal level, I have been truly impressed with the excitement, energy and enthusiasm of the students who participate in FIRST Robotics, and the impact that their participation has on their perception of themselves and the work world they will eventually manage. I am just as impressed with the commitment of the numerous volunteers, teachers, mentors, family members and corporate partners to the very important goals of the FIRST Robotics program, and the enthusiasm with which they demonstrate that commitment. Recent research we conducted also shows that the FIRST Robotics program is attracting more women and minorities to its activities and to STEM educational programs and careers generally, a critical need as we move toward a more diverse, global workforce.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
influencing the decisions of students and their parents to consider STEM careers and educational programs.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have worked with students for the last 17 years, starting with my own when they were in kindergarten. My goal in doing so was to encourage them to look at science and math (STEM) topics, stay interested in them, and use them in real life situations. Following my kids all through school, I stuck with the task of trying to teach them at school and at home when possible. Fortunately, I was introduced to FIRST almost five years ago. Once I saw what it was, it hit me that this program is the culmination of all that I had strived to teach. In addition, it had the other topics I never was able to quite wrap around, like business and public relations and fundraising. For the last four-plus years, I have worked with my kids and their friends for about 360 hours during each six-week build season in January and February plus hundreds more hours throughout the year. My goal was to help the team’s students (and my kids) achieve things they never knew could be possible. FIRST is like that, you work towards the main goal of building and competing with a robot and you may never quite realize that what you are learning is much more than how to build a robot. I know now it is about dealing with people, learning to share, learning most importantly to give back to the community you live in. Some teams may worry about winning, raising the most money, going to lots of competitions, and bringing home many awards but this misses the point. The big picture is much more than this. For all its technology, math, science, and competition, FIRST is really about people and learning how to deal with them and most importantly, learning how to give back. Ultimately, FIRST teaches you to be a better student, parent, and educator. And it is fun. Isn’t this what learning is supposed to be all about?
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
every day life, in my kid's career choices, and in their actions and words towards others. I have seen its impact for the last four years and it has been amazing.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a way to get into more schools so all could enjoy is benefits.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working with students and thier parents and my kids.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing and extremely hard working and dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand to all schools in the USA to let others enjoy and learn what we have.
Ways to make it better...
If more schools could participate.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Keeping the funding available so that others can continue to participate.
One thing I'd also say is that...
FIRST is for all kids, no matter their background or goals.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have been the New England Admission Counselor/Assistant Director of Admission for Florida Tech now entering my 12th year. My very first experience with FIRST was at a WPI/NCSSSMST conference, where I saw the history of FIRST. Then I began to experience the energy, the commitment, the competition of all that FIRST involves. Then, when Florida Tech's freshmen robotics team WON a major competition, and 4 out of the 5 were from New England AND ALL were FIRST competitors, I participated in any and all regional FIRST events. Scholarship Row allowed colleges to be in the hall. Florida Tech guarantees ALL a $10,000 scholarship, if they are academically scholarship qualified for FIRST participation. For my university, and for many more, FIRST is symbolic with excellence, creativity, competition, teamwork and pure love of science. FIRST deserves and has earned your recognition and your support.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This is my first time.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Too early to say.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Learning.
Ways to make it better...
Learning
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Since learning about FIRST in 2007, our company has supported FIRST programs and I have personally participated in programs and at events. What I have observed is an amazing program that engages children from grade school through high school in more than just robotics, it gets them interested in technology, science and math careers. It takes something that could be intimidating and presents it in a way that all can learn and participate. Not only does it support STEM education but teaches SO MUCH MORE. Its theme of Gracious Professionalism teaches students that it is inot always about winning but the importance of working together and helping others. In addition, teams and partcipants are encouraged to share the message in the community, mentor younger children and provide community service. It is a remarkable organization and I am proud to be a part of the FIRST family.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the impact it has on children. Their unbounded enthusiasm for learning and being challenged is truly special and unique. The kids have to work really hard and embrace the opportunity.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the interaction with the students, the expressions on their faces and the passion they have.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Bring FIRST to kids of all ages in all countries. It is truly inspirational and I wish more US schools could participate in the program. Since the program is focused on robotics and traveling to competitions, costs at the school level can grow quickly.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
First Robotics is a truly inspiring program. It sucessfully brings together industry, universities, and high schools to build and support the pipline of students who will go into the technological workforce.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Selecting the scholarship recipients.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
we are working together to inspire students to persue technical fields.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
helpful and very responsive.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the world.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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