(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
✔ TETRIX® platform is reusable from year-to-year
✔ Develop strategic problem-solving, organization,
and team-building skills
✔ Awards for competition, community outreach,
design
✔ Qualify for nearly $10 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 nearly $14 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
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 ProfessionalismTM
•
CoopertitionTM
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
2012 FRC Season
FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®):
Team Growth
2012
2500
Season
2,343
2,072
 2,340+ teams
2000
1,808
1,683
1,501
1500
 58,000+ high-school-age students
1,307
1,133
927
1000
991
 Average 25 students per team
787
642
515
500
372
151
199
271
28
0
'92
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
'03
'04
'05
'06
'07
'08
'09
10
'11
12
 52 Regionals; 1 State Championship;
1 Region Championship; 14 District
Competitions
 340 teams advance to FIRST
Championship
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Impact
Part Rock Concert
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Impact
Part Basketball Championship
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Impact
Part NASCAR
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Impact
Part Broadway
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Awards
It’s About Recognition
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FIRST Scholarships
Over $14 million in scholarships from over 130 colleges
and universities throughout North America
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FIRST Scholarships
Nearly $14 million in scholarship opportunities from more than
140 providers, including:
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:
✔ 50% 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
FIRST Founding Sponsors
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FIRST Strategic Partners
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get Involved with 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
Sponsor Benefits
✔ 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
FRC Impact
“This is the only sport I know of where everybody who plays
can become a pro.”
Walter P. Havenstein, Chief Executive Officer
“I can attest personally to the power of FIRST. President
Obama has invited FIRST teams to the White House on
more than one occasion. It is something we care deeply
about.”
Aneesh Chopra, United States Chief Technology Officer
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Program
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Program
• Age Group: grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
• Teams build & compete with 120 lb.
robots of their own design
• Varsity Sport for the Mind™
• Strict rules, limited resources, time
limits
• Students mentored by professional
engineers
• Qualify for >$14 million in scholarships
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Sport for the Mind™
•
•
•
•
•
Gracious Professionalism™
Cooperate while competing (Coopertition™)
“Play with the Pros” working with mentors
Hands-on learning
Real-world application of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts
• Atmosphere of team building, entrepreneurship,
sportsmanship, and fun
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
21st Season Game: Rebound RumbleSM
•
2,343 teams
•
1,879 veteran teams (91% retention)
•
464 rookie teams
•
58,575 students (avg. 25 per team)
•
14,058 Mentor/adult supporters (avg. 6 per team)
•
11,000 other Volunteers
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
21st Season Game: Rebound RumbleSM
• 49 states
• 4 provinces
• 12 countries
• Australia (1 team)
• Brazil (4 teams)
• Canada (113 teams in 4 provinces)
• Chile (1 team)
• Dominican Republic (1 team)
• Germany (1 team)
• Israel (44 teams)
• Mexico (20 teams)
• Taiwan (1 team)
• Turkey (5 teams)
• U.K. (2 teams)
• U.S. (2,150 teams in 49 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico)
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Typically played on a 27’ x 54’
Typically 6 teams divided 3 each between red and blue alliances
Typically 2 minute 15 second rounds15 seconds autonomous period –robots
run their software with no human intervention
2 minute teleop period. Robots are controlled wirelessly by teams
Scoring usually involves object manipulation. Getting balls in to a goal,
stacking objects, positioning objects
Scoring sometimes involves robot manipulation. Getting robots to a certain
position at the end of a round
Penalties for intentional damage
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
Events
• 1 Kickoff: January 7, 2012 in Manchester, NH
•
73 Local Kickoffs tuning in via NASA TV and Webcast
•
52 Regional Events
• New events: Montreal, QC; Dallas, TX; Boca Raton, FL; Madera, CA;
Cincinnati, OH; Cheney, WA
• 1 Michigan FRC State Championship;1 Mid-Atlantic Region Championship
• 15 District Competitions (Michigan and Mid-Atlantic Region)
•
1 Championship: April 25–28, 2012 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis,
MO
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
Season Structure
• Kickoff: Usually first week in January (1/7/12 for 2012 season)Game is
revealed, all teams get their ‘Kit of Parts’ (KoP)
•
Build Season About 6 weeks
• In 2012, 1/7/12 –2/21/12
• Teams will typically meet three or more times per week for several hours
per session –weekend sessions can go most of the day
•
Bag and Tag day All robots must be ‘bagged’ on this day
• In 2012, 2/21/12
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
Regionals
•
Registration fee gets teams access to one regional$6,500 Rookie Fee $ 5,000
Veteran Team
•
30 to 64 teams typically are in competition at each event
• About 20 awards are available to be presented at each event Most are not
based on how well a team’s robot did in competition
• Highest award is ‘Chairman's Award’ -goes to the team who best
exemplifies FIRST values and goals
Championship
• About 400 teams attend $ 5,000
• 4 ‘Divisional’ competitions running simultaneously –similar to Regional
Divisional winners meet to determine FRC Champion
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
The Teams
•
•
•
Teams range in size from about 4 to ‘very large’ –80 or more students There
are no restrictions in team size, but teams must be large enough to provide
sufficient team members to play the game per the rules
Teams will have 1 or more adult mentors 4 or 5 is a typical number for full-time
mentors, but teams typically get lots of additional support from parents and
other adults
We strongly encourage mentors to have background in science and
technology
The Robot
•
•
•
In 2012, robots could weight no more than 120 pounds without bumpers and
battery
Size limit in 2011 was 28” W x 38” L x 60” H
Control system, motors, and energy storage are strictly regulated
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC Game
QUESTIONS
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
More information
 On the web
 www.usfirst.org
 Call 1-800-871-8326
Jimmy Nichols
513.593.1229
jnichols@usfirst.org
W W W. USFIRST . O R G
800-871-8326
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY