For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and TechnologyFIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.Dean Kamen founded FIRST and its Robotics Competition twelve years ago, with 28 teams and a single 14 x 14 foot playing field in a New Hampshire high school gym. With the help of Woodie Flowers, we now have more than 1500 teams participating nationwide and internationally, in 37 Regional events and a Championship event. The FIRST LEGO League has expanded its reach from 2,000 to 17,000 children across the United States and over 5,000 children from countries around the world. More information can be found on the FIRST Website or at the FIRST Forum. FIRST Robotics CompetitionThe FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, nationwide competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience?and a lot of fun. In 2008 the competition will reach more than 37,000 students on over 1500 teams in 37 competitions. Teams come from Canada, Brazil, the U.K., and almost every U.S. state. The competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of lots of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, and deadlines.Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals provide scholarships to our participants. In 2007, over $7.8 million in scholarships were awarded. Involved engineers experience again many of the reasons they chose engineering as a profession, and the companies they work for contribute to the community while they prepare and create their future workforce. The competition shows students that the technological fields hold many opportunities and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention are exciting and interesting. FIRST Lego LeagueWith the help of LEGO? MINDSTORMS? Robotics Invention System? technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions.State TournamentEach year, Charger Robotics mentors two FIRST Lego League teams from our local middle school. Last year, one of the teams made it all the way to the State FLL Tournament. |