Science in the Triangle

Students, parents, and science enthusiasts alike packed the RTP Headquarters Friday for the NC FIRST Robotics Info and Demonstration Session.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) offers robotics programs throughout North Carolina for students between the ages of 6 and 18. Teams showcased their finished bots and wowed the crowd with special tricks. Some bots kicked soccer balls (see video), some sped up jump-ramps like Evel Knievel. One even hung vertically from stretch cables. Bots were constructed from FIRST-standardized parts kits, the general framework for all teams being equal. Spectators were impressed with the teamwork and creativity the students put into their finished product.

Regional director Marie Hopper and eight of the team participants gave a brief history of the FIRST program and painted a picture for where it’s headed next. FIRST helps foster an appreciation for science and math and helps prepare our engineers of tomorrow, Hopper said.

Students told their personal favorite parts of the Robotics challenge: working together, building community, learning about electronics, becoming leaders, and even cheering on their opponents.

Hopper announced a new engineering scholarship for FIRST students through N.C. State University — the pioneer of its class for the Triangle Region.

The goals of FIRST are to (1) inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting team-based, mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)skills; (2) promote the spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; (3) foster well-rounded life capabilities; (4) help today’s youth acquire the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the technologically-driven global economy; and (5) encourage students (ages 6-18) to pursue studies in engineering and technology at the college, graduate and post-graduate levels leading to careers in related technical fields.

See video here.

For those interested in getting involved with FIRST, there’s a training event for students and coaches at Park Research Center on 10/16.

For more information, contact Marie Hopper at ncfirstrobots@gmail.com