Rockwell Automation and FIRST are Changing the Game
I’ve always been in search of the best avenues to encourage excellence in STEM among youth on their terms — through platforms they feel most comfortable. STEM activities that are as exciting as they are educational are often hard to come by.
Last year I was given the perfect opportunity to make this happen. I was invited to influence the next FIRST Robotics Competition.
Participating with FIRST at this level has been a professional goal and a dream. My role brings together two innovators – FIRST and Rockwell Automation – to provide deep and broad value to students, mentors and coaches competing through FIRST now and in the future.
It’s an honor and a privilege!
Why this is a big deal for our future
As part of these efforts, I collaborate with product and technology developers from Rockwell Automation to ensure that our products and innovations are incorporated in game development.
We want students to be more connected to and comfortable with our products, and this is an ideal way to get them familiar with our capabilities. For the company, we have a front-row seat with the future workforce. Soon, these will be our world’s inventors, innovators and end users.
One of the greatest areas for opportunity is The Connected Enterprise, and how our products can take information from difference sources, make it usable, and let the team members make instantaneous decisions based on that data.
It’s the working world right there on the competition floor.
I believe we can take the experience for students, and the interaction with technology, to a much higher level. We will bring the best of two worlds together – technology and engagement – for the ultimate gaming and learning experience!
Take a look at the teaser for the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition game - FIRST POWER UP!
Prepare to "Play for Real" during the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition game - FIRST POWER UP!
If this inspires you… please see more from FIRST below:
Jump into the fun and start or join a team today!
Be part of the more than 3,600 teams in 2018 comprised of 90,000 students and their adult mentors from around the world who will get to “play for real” in FIRST® POWER UP!
FIRST® Robotics Competition is the ultimate Sport for the Mind, where imagination and innovation come together! By combining the excitement of sport and beauty of art with the rigors of science and technology, teams of high school students (ages 14 - 18/grades 9 - 12) are challenged to design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform tasks against a field of competitors.
Teams work together to build, program and test robots with the guidance of adult mentors. Teams then compete with their robots as family and friends cheer from the stands at more than 160 events worldwide – all leading up to the 2018 FIRST® Championship, April 18 - 21 in Houston, TX and April 25 - 28 in Detroit, MI.
Help Recruit Your STEM Squad:
The hardest fun you’ll ever have has its rewards!
Participating FIRST® Robotics Competition students are eligible to apply for more than $50 million in scholarships from nearly 200 colleges and universities.
Check your team blasts, the FIRST® Robotics Competition Blog, and Facebook for more information and upcoming Downloadable Content (DLC) Packs releases!
Learn more about all FIRST® Programs!