My Nonprofit Reviews
sue-glass
Review for FIRST, Manchester, NH, USA
FIRST Robotics Program is involves all 50 states, plus many countries. Its purpose is twofold: 1—Help students to develop 21st century skills that all employers are looking for such as: gracious professionalism (teamwork, leadership, problem solving, learning to work with other people, project management, meeting deadlines, working within a budget, etc.) 2—Get students interested in various careers including those that involve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They also provide opportunities for students interested in programming, web design, photography, public relations, marketing, creating business plans, team spirit and more. FIRST creates a school-to-career pipeline through which young people are inspired to explore opportunities in science and technology. By successfully forming coalitions with corporations, universities, and public schools, FIRST has become the premiere after-school engineering and robotics competition program in the nation.
The FIRST Robotics Competition began in 1992 with 28 teams in a New Hampshire high school gym. The FIRST LEGO League program was introduced in 1998, followed by both the FIRST Tech Challenge and the Junior FIRST LEGO League in 2007. Today, with the support of thousands of dedicated volunteers, the organization serves 196,000 students not only in asll 50 states, but also in 9 provinces and 38 countries.
Another of the key benefits of the FIRST programs that I have observed, is the proper behaviors it nurtures. Gracious professionalism and cooperation are FIRST’s core values, encouraging participants in all FIRST programs to do their best work. It is not about winning or losing, but working together to achieve a common goal. FIRST programs embrace and encourage students of varying interests, abilities, and academic competencies and foster participation by all youth, regardless of income, gender, ethnicity, or background.
This is a fantastic after school program for all youth--K-12-- to engage in.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Connecticut
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get more schools and community organizations involved
Review for FIRST, Manchester, NH, USA
Two years ago I was introduced to a world I never knew existed--the world of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). I was invited to a high-school off-season robotics competition and saw unbridled enthusiasm among the students for learning about and creating robots, employing the disciplines of STEM. I have since observed another key attribute of FIRST: Gracious Professionalism. I see that FIRST is not only fostering a love of STEM, but is also instilling a real sense of citizenship in its participants by encouraging community service, teamwork, sportsmanship, respect for elders and authority, and mentoring of younger students. I have also witnessed how the program has transformed previously undirected youth into focused students with a thirst for obtaining higher education whether in STEM subjects or in Liberal Arts. I do not know of a better after-school program for today's youth and wish I had known about it for my own kids. I am a convert and will be a lifelong volunteer for this organization.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I wish I could have enrolled my kids, but now I have gotten my whole family involved in volunteering, giving us satisfaction of helping others get the benefits of this program.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the satisfaction of seeing youth inspired by STEM subjects as well as enjoying the entertainment of attending the competitions
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
just as excited about the programs as I am--dedicated, hard-working, sincerely interested in nurturing the love of STEM in youth.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
conduct more of an educational outreach campaign to generate more recognition and participation by school districts
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
