I have been privileged to be a part of this organization for the past 10 years. The FIRST program in Florida, and in particular the Orlando Regional has proven to be a life changing experience for many of our students and has made a huge impact in the direction their lives will take.
This organization works tirelessly to ensure that the experience of robotic competition is not only fun and exciting, but has a positive impact on students and their futures. This is so much more than building a robot. Students are exposed not only to STEM academics, but all academics. They take what they have learned in a classroom and apply it to a real life situation. They learn real team skills, presentation skills,and have the most fun of their lives. They are learning without knowing that is what they are doing. I have seen involved students go to great jobs and very productive lives. The students have seen the application of their skills in a diverse array of occupations. When I was a sponsor, my students were so much better for the time they spent. Many of the students got scholarships and now have great jobs. This group does more for students than any athletic program. My hope is that every school from 3rd grade to 12th grade would have this be an integral part of the curriculum. It answers the age old question of the classroom, "How will this help me in the real world?"
The Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation provides a first rate experience for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams at the Orlando Regional FRC event, which they produce annually. Although the nonprofit has only been formally organized for a few years, board members and volunteers have been producing the Orlando Regional for more than 16 years, and have made it a signature FRC event nationwide.
The board takes very seriously their mission to inspire youth to become science and technology leaders, and ensures that the event is enjoyable and instructive at all levels, from the competition itself, to the workshops, exhibits, speakers and more, that are all a part of this amazing 4 day event in Orlando.
Completely volunteer run, FFREF is fiscally responsible, and an excellent donor and sponsor partner. The Orlando Regional requires hundreds of volunteers, and the expertise and compassion to manage them and keep them, and donors, coming back year after year. The Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation is the kind of professional and committed charity that has the expertise and dedication to keep making it happen.