This month we look at FIRST; the organization behind the contest that team Themis participated in. FIRST is an acronym that stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology." They are a non-profit organization whose mission is to generate an interest in science and engineering among today's youth. Currently, their primary means of accomplishing this goal is through their annual robot competitions, which began in 1992. They are also in the process of opening a science and technology facility in downtown Manchester, NH. The FIRST Competition is a national engineering contest, which immerses high school students in the exciting world of engineering. Teaming up with engineers from businesses and universities, students get a hands-on, inside look at the engineering profession. In six intense weeks, students and engineers work together to brainstorm, design, construct, and test their "champion robot". With only six weeks, all jobs are critical. The teams then compete in a spirited, no-holds-barred tournament complete with referees, cheerleaders and time clocks.
The partnerships developed between schools, businesses, and universities provide an exchange of resources and talent, highlighting mutual needs, building cooperation, and exposing students to new career choices. The result is a fun, exciting and stimulating environment in which all participants discover the important connection between classroom lessons and real world applications. Each year, the Competition is different; so returning teams always have a new challenge to look forward to. However, the details are kept secret until the unveiling at the Kick-Off workshop. This provides a high level of excitement as everyone sees the new challenge for the first time and ideas immediately begin forming in people's minds.
In 1989, Manchester, NH-based inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen founded FIRST, a national, not-for-profit coalition developing a broad range of innovative new programs to excite the next generation about science and technology. Kamen is president and owner of DEKA Research & Development, a Manchester, NH-based Company specializing in advanced technologies in medical equipment. He also is the Chairman of Teletrol Energy Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic climate control systems for large commercial and industrial buildings. A physicist, engineer and inventor, he holds more than 30 U.S. patents. He was an undergraduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute when he founded his first company, Auto-Syringe, Inc., in 1976 to produce the wearable infusion pumps on which he was awarded his first patents. Kamen is both an airplane and a helicopter pilot, and from 1985 to 1990 he was owner and chairman of the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, a helicopter manufacturer.
In 1985 he established Science Enrichment Encounters (SEE), a hands-on science museum for children in Manchester, NH More than 200,000 visitors have passed through the doors since its opening. Five years later he founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a national non-profit organization devoted to inspiring the next generation to see science and technology as exciting, accessible and rewarding. In early 1992 President Bush took part in the inaugural presentation of the FIRST Robotics Competition, in which corporate engineers partner with high school students to build and compete radio-controlled "robo-athletes" in a national tournament.
The most visible person at the competition is Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. Flowers is the Papallardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Flowers designs the FIRST Competition specifics each year with FIRST founder Dean Kamen. Dr. Flowers also acts as the emcee of the FIRST Robotics Competitions. He has served as a national advisor to the FIRST Robotics Competition since its inception. Dr. Flowers has started several new design courses, including one of the most famous courses at MIT, "Introduction to Design." He is the director of MIT's New Products Program, a member of the Board of Directors of the General Scanning Corporation, and former host of the PBS television series Scientific American Frontiers. For his teaching, he has received the Goodwin Medal, The Baker Award, The Den Hartog Distinguished Educator Award from MIT and The Western Electric Award from the American Society of Engineering Education.
The president of FIRST is Andrew M. Allen. Mr. Allen is a former NASA Astronaut who, as a veteran of three space flights, has logged over 900 hours in space. His previous technical assignment was the Director of Space Station Requirements at NASA Headquarters. This position is responsible for the International Space Station requirements, policies, external communications and liaison with Congress, international partners, and industry. Selected by NASA in June 1987, Allen became an astronaut in August 1988. His technical assignments have included: Astronaut Office representative for all Space Shuttle, was the lead of the Astronaut support Personnel team which oversees shuttle preparation at Kennedy Space Center; and served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Allen was a member of the Navy ROTC unit and received his commission in the United States Marine Corps at Villanova University in 1977. Following graduation from flight school, he flew F-4 Phantoms from 1980 to 1983. He was a test pilot under instruction when advised of his selection to the astronaut program. Mr. Allen is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Single Mission Air Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Bucks County Community College in 1993.
The Chairman of FIRST is Paul Allaire. Paul A. Allaire is chairman and chief executive officer of Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT. He joined Xerox in 1966 as a financial analyst in Rochester, NY. Allaire was named senior vice president and chief staff officer of Xerox in July 1983, was elected president and a member of the board in August 1986, and became chief executive in August 1990 and chairman in May 1991. Allaire has served as chair of the FIRST executive board since 1994. He is a member of the board of directors of Sara Lee Corporation, the New York Stock Exchange and SmithKline Beecham p.i.c. He is Chairman of the Council on Competitiveness and also on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations, the New York City Ballet, Catalyst and the National Planning Association. He is a member of the Business Council and the Business Roundtable. Allaire graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He earned a Master of Science degree in industrial administration from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is now a trustee of both Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Carnegie-Mellon University.
You can contact FIRST at their web page at http://www.usfirst.org/.
