FIRST
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FIRST is an organization that seeks to make science and technology interesting and exciting to students through robotics competitions. As well as encouraging teamwork and "gracious professionalism" FIRST hopes the excitement of participation in the competitions will contribute to students staying in school and thinking about post-secondary education in science and Engineering. I am a Professional Engineer and I have judged at many competions over the past seven years. It is inspiring to me to see students excited about the technology of robots, but also very motivating to see the teamwork and growth in the students. Experienced teams help inexperienced teams, older students mentor younger students and past participants come back and assist. FIRST is truly an amazing program and I am grateful for my participation, and to the visionaries who created and continue to lead this effort.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The individual stories of the students invovled are too many to mention. As an example a friend's daughter participated and as a direct result chose Engineering as her area of study in University. Many, many students have similarly been influenced.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
There are very few changes needed! The organization is centred in the U.S. and should continue to increase and celebrate the international particpants (of which I am one)
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The interaction with the students and how they motivate me in my profession. The demonstrations of teamwork by the student teams, along with the knowledge they gain.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Highly engaged to assist and mentor the students and ensure the overall experience is memorable. There are many highly educated Engineers and Scientists and corporate executives that dedicate time from their schedules to assist.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Provide more direct support to teams that do not have the financial resources needed, and the schools that otherwise could not participate in FIRST.
Ways to make it better...
I had started sooner! (and if there were more opportunities to volunteer)
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
There are many activities that draw students and many organizations competing for available funding. I firmly believe that FIRST will continue to expand and change people's lives.
One thing I'd also say is that...
FIRST makes a difference - not only to the students but to all of us who volunteer.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FIRST is a truly unique organization which helps encourage students from all walks of life to get excited and learn about science and engineering. FIRST creates and organizes events nationwide which encourages students to apply knowledge in a fun filled game that requires teamwork, on the spot thinking and creatvity. It is such a fun experience watching these kids compete, and see how excited they can get about science. The program is helping recruit future scientists and engineers, all while letting the kids have a lot of fun.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Speaking with kids of teams. They are so excited about the work they have done, and the only way for that to happen is through the FIRST organization.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being able to help encourage students to learn about science.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind, gracious and excited.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help that many more students!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FIRST Robotics tournaments are the single most exciting outreach activity that I have had an opportunity to witness. As a tournament judge, I am able to interact directly with students who work tremendously hard over a very short 6-week period to build robots for a specified challenge. It is amazing to see what students can do, if you just challenge them. And the FIRST organization does just that. The challenges are difficult, they require time, energy, and resource, but the students get it done anyway. More important is the focus of FIRST on transforming the culture. The award structure celebrates creativity and outreach through a philosophy of gracious professionalism (a term coined by FIRST officials), and a lot of the FIRST teams really get it -- and they know how to reach their school-aged peers. Finally, the FIRST tournaments are like attending a March-Madness basketball event. Music, dancing, and enthusiasm to beat the band. I even saw the band from the Bedford Stuyvesant school in Brooklyn perform at the NY city regional tournament this past spring. It was awesome. If you ever have a chance to go to a FIRST tournament, do yourself and your kids a favor -- just go and see with your own eyes. I guarantee you will have a renewed view of robots and young people in general.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I am a college professor and have several former FIRST participants in my classes. They are always happy to volunteer in tournaments held here at my campus, and the regional tournament about 90 miles away. In general, they just want to give back.
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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 work for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and we give scholarships to worthy students who participate on a FIRST Team. Between working for ASME and as a member I have been able to open up the eyes of many coworkers and other volunteers to see all the good that can come from these kids being on a FIRST Robotics team. In the 4years I have participated I have watch freshman evolve into young adults who have a solid knowledge of what they want to do in the engineering fields and other aspects of life. they have learned to work together for the greater good of the team and learned invaluable life lessons from thier mentors and other teams. I am pleased to see how many high school students come back to thier FIRST Robotic's team to mentor when they can. FIRST has made math and science fun, entertaining, educational and most of all for everyone, not just the geeks... These kids get on the job, hands on training on what they learn in class and then they see how it all clicks and works together in the real world. that is invaluable.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen kids who did not really care for math and science excel in a 4 year process and go into Engineering fields winning all kinds of scholarships during thier journey.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the energy and enthusiams for everyone involved. they have something for all ages, starting as young as 6 yrs old. and these kids are bright.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
well educated, enegertic, positive, very helpful to students.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the way all kids see math and science. they could require all schools to have a robotics program and to enter the FIRST Competiton. Kids would get hands on experience which would help them why they are learning, algebra and science.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FIRST is amazing. The goal of FIRST is to inspire students in the areas of science, engineering, and technology. FIRST uses robot competitions to bring together students to work with engineers and other business people to design a build a robot to meet a challenging competition. I have the privilege of judging the teams in various aspects of team attributes and machine attributes. It is amazing to be able to walk into a group of high school students and ask them to explain complex mechanical designs and to feel the excitement as they relate to you incredible details about their robot, or how they manage their team, or their community outreach. One of my more memorable experiences occurred during the 2009 Championship in Atlanta. I was assigned several teams to interview for an award, one of the teams was from a facility for troubled youth. Students must earn their way onto the team and can only remain on the team if their behavior is exemplary. These students worked hard to build a robot and make it to first a regional competition in Colorado where they achieved the highest honor, the Chairman's Award. This award earned them a trip to the championship in Atlanta. The students on the team related how their FIRST robotics experience has changed their lives. One student plans to mentor other FIRST robotics teams in the area when he graduates.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the inspiration I receive working with motivated and intelligent high school students. My daughter has also been inspired to pursue an engineering degree after being a part of a FIRST robotics team.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how everyone involved are focused on the goal of the organization; inspiring and recognizing science and technology.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FIRST speaks in a powerful voice to the best and brightest students, letting them know that their interest in science and technology is a good thing. FIRST provides an safe environment that fosters, encourages, and frankly celebrates this interest. Students meet others across the globe who share a passion for technology, and learn that they are not alone or outliers or somehow not worthy of adulation and respect. FIRST competitions bring forward many of the values enhanced by traditional school activities like sports or social clubs. FIRST students learn the value of teamwork, refine leadership skills, understand their contribution to the team's functioning, learn what it takes to be a gracious winner and competitor, and learn to honor themselves and respect their talents. I support FIRST in part because I wish it existed when I was in high school--it would have brought me much self-confidence to have the opportunity to spend time with legions of like-minded students.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
every single student to whom I've spoken. Judges conduct interviews with each team in a competition, and students brim over with enthusiasm regarding all of the wonderful benefits participating in FIRST has brought.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I think FIRST does a great job with fund-raising &awareness;at the corporate leve. The next step is to create additional resources at the grass-roots level to ensure that the societal and emotional impact of the organization continues & strengthens.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the powerful impact it makes on all who are involved, not just the students
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
and are just as committed to the mission of FIRST as I am. We have collectively drunk the Kool-Aid and have come back for seconds!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
establish an endowment to create additional teams around the world, especially in low-income regions that need extra assistance.
Ways to make it better...
I were retired and could volunteer for FIRST on a full time basis!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
spreading its message at a community/grass-roots level
One thing I'd also say is that...
I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life serving this organization in whatever way I can.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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