F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Igniting young minds. Teaching life skills. Nurturing passions for science and technology. Practicing Gracious Professionalism. F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY (501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) ®

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Its a competitive sport. Its a life experience. Its opportunity. Its community. Its amazing.

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY … 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. FIRST Learning…

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 todays scientists Discover real-world math and science Engage in team activities guided by Jr.FLL Core Values

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Create innovative solutions to challenges facing todays 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

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Who is FIRST For? For students (ages 6-18): the hardest fun youll ever have. For Mentors, Coaches, Volunteers: the most rewarding adventure youll ever undertake. For Sponsors: the most enlightened investment you could ever make.

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY …Its 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. Weve created a microcosm of the real engineering experience. Woodie Flowers FIRST National Advisor How FRC Works

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 TM Coopertition TM How FRC Works

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 2012 FRC Season FIRST ® Robotics Competition (FRC ® ): 2012 Season 2,340+ teams 58,000+ high-school-age students Average 25 students per team 52 Regionals; 1 State Championship; 1 Region Championship; 14 District Competitions 340 teams advance to FIRST Championship Team Growth

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Part Rock Concert FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Part Basketball Championship FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Part NASCAR FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Part Broadway FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Its About Recognition The Awards

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Over $14 million in scholarships from over 130 colleges and universities throughout North America FIRST Scholarships

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Scholarships Nearly $14 million in scholarship opportunities from more than 140 providers, including:

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY Case History: East Technical High School, Cleveland, OH Just 5 years ago…an urban school …slated for closing. Weve 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 FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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. Brandeis University Study More Than Robots (Funded by Ford Foundation) FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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. FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Founding Sponsors

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FIRST Strategic Partners

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Impact

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FRC Program

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Program

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 Sport for the Mind

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 21st Season Game: Rebound Rumble SM 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 21st Season Game: Rebound Rumble SM 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) FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 teams 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY 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 FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS FRC Game

F OR I NSPIRATION AND R ECOGNITION OF S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY On the web Call WWW. USFIRST.ORG More information Jimmy Nichols