FIRST Robotics Competition

FIRST Robotics Competition
Founded	1992
Location	Manchester, New Hampshire (first event)
Founder	Dean Kamen
Type	Robotics competition
Participants	High school students

FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Each year, teams of students are challenged to design, build, and program industrial-sized robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams. The program combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology, aiming to inspire young people to pursue opportunities in STEM fields.

Overview

The competition tasks high school students, with the guidance of mentors from professions like engineering and computer programming, to create robots that can perform specific tasks. These annual challenges are revealed in a worldwide kickoff event, after which teams have a limited build season to complete their machines. Events are held in venues ranging from high school gymnasiums to major arenas like Cobo Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center, culminating in the FIRST Championship. The ethos of the program is encapsulated by the principle of Gracious Professionalism, promoting cooperation and respect.

History

The competition was founded in 1992 by inventor Dean Kamen and MIT professor Woodie Flowers. The inaugural event, held in a high school gym in Manchester, New Hampshire, featured 28 teams. With early support from companies like General Motors and IBM, the program grew rapidly. Key milestones include the introduction of the FIRST Championship in the Edward Jones Dome and expansion into international markets like Israel, Turkey, and Australia. The NASA Robotics Alliance Project has been a long-standing supporter, providing grants and resources to numerous teams.

Competition structure

Each competitive season begins with a live broadcast kickoff where the new game is announced. Following this, teams enter a six-week build period before competing in regional and district events. The game itself changes annually, with past themes involving shooting balls into goals, placing gears on pegs, or climbing ropes, as seen in games like FIRST Stronghold and FIRST Power Up. At tournaments, alliances of three teams compete in matches, with rankings determining playoff selections. Top-performing teams advance to the FIRST Championship, held in locations such as Detroit and Houston.

Robot design and construction

Robots are built to a strict set of rules outlined in the FIRST Robotics Competition Manual. Teams use a standard kit of parts provided by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which includes control system components from National Instruments and motors from AndyMark. Students utilize sophisticated tools and software, including CAD programs like Autodesk Inventor and programming environments like LabVIEW and Java. The design process involves prototyping, machining, electrical work, and extensive testing, often supported by professional mentors from organizations like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Impact and recognition

The program is widely recognized for its educational impact, with studies indicating participants are significantly more likely to major in engineering and pursue careers at companies like NASA and SpaceX. It has received endorsements from prominent figures such as Bill Gates and President Barack Obama, and has been featured on programs like ABC News. Many colleges and universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Georgia Institute of Technology, offer scholarships to participants. The competition's influence is also noted in initiatives like the White House Science Fair.

Notable teams and achievements

Certain teams have gained renown for sustained excellence and innovation. Teams like Team 254, The Cheesy Poofs, and Team 148, Robowranglers, have won multiple FIRST Championship titles. Team 1114, Simbotics, is known for pioneering advanced autonomous robot routines. Other historically significant teams include Team 67, The HOT Team, and Team 341, Miss Daisy. The prestigious Chairman's Award, the highest honor at the competition, has been won by teams such as Team 1912, X-CATS, recognizing their impact beyond the playing field.

Category:Robotics competitions Category:High school competitions Category:STEM education