(501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) Igniting young minds. Teaching life skills. Nurturing passions for science and technology. ® Practicing “Gracious Professionalism®.” FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY It’s a competitive sport. It’s a life experience. It’s opportunity. It’s community. It’s amazing. FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIRST Learning… … never stops building upon itself, starting at age 6 and continuing through middle and high-school levels up to age 18. Young people can join at any level. Participants master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and technology through innovative projects and robotics competitions, while gaining valuable career and life skills. FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ✔ Introduction to science and technology ✔ Design and build challenge-related model using LEGO® components ✔ Create a Show Me poster and practice presentation skills ✔ Explore challenges facing today’s scientists ✔ Discover real-world math and science ✔ Engage in team activities guided by Jr.FLL Core Values FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ✔ Create innovative solutions to challenges facing today’s scientists ✔ Strategize, design, build, program and test an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology ✔ Apply real-world math and science concepts ✔ Develop career and life skills ✔ Become involved in their local and global community FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ✔ Head-to-head competition using sports model ✔ Teams design, build, program robots based on sound engineering principles ✔ Platform is reusable from year-to-year ✔ Develop strategic problem-solving, organization, and team-building skills ✔ Awards for competition, community outreach, design ✔ Qualify for >$13 million in scholarships FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ✔ Varsity Sport for the Mind™ ✔ Strict rules, limited resources, time limits ✔ Students mentored by professional engineers ✔ Teams learn, use sophisticated hardware and software ✔ Build and compete with robots of their own design ✔ Qualify for >$19 million in scholarships FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Who is FIRST For? For students (ages 6-18): the hardest fun you’ll ever have. For Mentors, Coaches, Volunteers: the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever undertake. For Sponsors: the most enlightened investment you could ever make. FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIRST Scholarships More than $19 million in scholarship opportunities from over 150 providers, including: FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY How FRC Works “…It’s like life. You never have enough information. You never have enough time. The kit of materials is what you have in the warehouse. There are always competing things and you must have a strategy. We’ve created a microcosm of the real engineering experience.” Woodie Flowers FIRST National Advisor FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY How FRC Works ✔ Mission is to INSPIRE, not EDUCATE ✔ But look at what is involved: • Math (algebra, geometry, trig, calculus) • Science (physics, chemistry, experimentation) • Language arts (writing, public speaking) • Business (marketing, PR, fundraising) • Finance (accounting) • Computer Science (programming, 3D animation) • Fabrication (woodworking, metalworking) • Mentorship: Working side-by-side with professionals • Teamwork • Gracious Professionalism® • Coopertition® FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2014 FRC Season FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®): Team Growth 2014 Season 3000 2,700 2,546 2500 2,700+ teams 2,343 2,072 2000 1,808 1,683 1,501 1500 68,000 high-school-age students 1,307 1000 500 28 271 151 199 372 515 642 787 927 991 1,133 10 or more students per team (av. 25) 0 '92 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 10 12 14 Projected 54 Regionals; 4 Qualifying Championships; 40 Qualifying Competitions; 1 FRC Championship 17 countries FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FRC Impact ✔ Case History: Chatsworth High School, Los Angeles, CA ✔ 60% students graduate ✔ Less than 50% go on to college ✔ Every FIRST participant graduated on time, attended college, and many enrolled in honors and advanced placement course FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FRC Impact ✔ Case History: East Technical High School, Cleveland, OH ✔ “Just 5 years ago…an urban school…slated for closing. We’ve become the science/engineering magnet school… More students try out for FIRST team than football and basketball combined.” ✔ Enrollment from 900 to 1,400 ✔ Attendance rates from 60% to 82% ✔ FIRST team all graduated, all received scholarships including Case Western Reserve, Cornell, MIT, Air Force Academy, Ohio State, Georgetown FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FRC Impact Brandeis University Study “More Than Robots” (Funded by Ford Foundation) Compared to their matched peers, FIRST Alumni are: ✔Significantly more likely to attend college. ✔3x more likely to major in engineering. ✔9x more likely to have an internship in Freshman year. ✔ 4x more likely to pursue a career in Engineering. ✔ 2.5x more likely to volunteer in the community. FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FRC Impact Brandeis University Study “More Than Robots” (Funded by Ford Foundation) ✔ Female FIRST Alumni are 4x (400%) more likely to pursue Technology and Engineering majors in college. ✔ Minority FIRST Alumni are 2x (200%) more likely to pursue Technology and Engineering majors in college. FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FRC Impact “This is the only sport I know of where everybody who plays can become a pro.” Walter P. Havenstein FIRST Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Retired, SAIC “I have a tremendous responsibility for making sure we prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists, and I can’t find a better program than FIRST robotics.” Congressman Chaka Fattah, 2nd District of Pennsylvania FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY How to Sponsor FRC ✔ Become a Sponsor Provide financial support Provide equipment and facilities Offer scholarships Provide internships ✔ Mentor a Team Involve employees as Mentors ✔ Volunteer at Events Involve employees as volunteers FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Why Sponsor FRC? ✔ Builds technological literacy ✔ Strengthens company reputation in the community ✔ Creates pipeline for interns and future employees ✔ Engages employees in volunteerism opportunities ✔ Provides employees team-building opportunities FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIRST Founding Sponsors & Strategic Partners FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY More Information On the web www.usfirst.org www.firstlegoleague.org www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org Call 1-800-871-8326 W W W. USFIRST . O R G 800-871-8326 FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY