What is FIRST Robotics?
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a fantastic program out there that gives kids who want to join the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields real-world, hands-on learning experience in areas such as problem-solving, working with a team, dealing with deadlines, and leadership. Along the way, life long self-confidence is gained and best friends are made. What are the core values of FIRST®?
FIRST® has three main values: Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition®, and safety. Gracious Professionalism is doing whatever one can to get his or her team on the field for the final match of the championship, yet providing all the tools for an opponent to do so as well. In other words, FIRST® teams do not solely help themselves become victors; on the contrary, teams want to help their fellow FIRST® competitors succeed and flourish. This atmosphere of helping others is symbolized in part by the 3-team alliances that are formed for a match. Working together with teams and robots that one may be seeing for the very first time, and needing to accomplish a certain task in this manner, requires the use of Coopertition® -- a branch of Gracious Professionalism. Cooperating, working together, and exchanging ideas and knowledge with all teams, even in the heat of competition, is held in the highest esteem by FIRST® as their top priority. This value is instilled in the minds of all FIRST® competitors, and is immediately on display upon entering a FIRST® atmosphere. Safety, too, is in the mind of every student, mentor, and FIRST® member. Everyone feels comfortable in the safe environment that FIRST® provides, allowing for a fantastically competitive, yet graciously cooperative, experience.
Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition®, and safety. These three values that FIRST® breeds in its teams should not be and is not limited to the world of FIRST®. Instead, these are permanent values that will guide individuals through life as the next generation of intelligent, capable, and kind young engineers.
FIRST® has three main values: Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition®, and safety. Gracious Professionalism is doing whatever one can to get his or her team on the field for the final match of the championship, yet providing all the tools for an opponent to do so as well. In other words, FIRST® teams do not solely help themselves become victors; on the contrary, teams want to help their fellow FIRST® competitors succeed and flourish. This atmosphere of helping others is symbolized in part by the 3-team alliances that are formed for a match. Working together with teams and robots that one may be seeing for the very first time, and needing to accomplish a certain task in this manner, requires the use of Coopertition® -- a branch of Gracious Professionalism. Cooperating, working together, and exchanging ideas and knowledge with all teams, even in the heat of competition, is held in the highest esteem by FIRST® as their top priority. This value is instilled in the minds of all FIRST® competitors, and is immediately on display upon entering a FIRST® atmosphere. Safety, too, is in the mind of every student, mentor, and FIRST® member. Everyone feels comfortable in the safe environment that FIRST® provides, allowing for a fantastically competitive, yet graciously cooperative, experience.
Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition®, and safety. These three values that FIRST® breeds in its teams should not be and is not limited to the world of FIRST®. Instead, these are permanent values that will guide individuals through life as the next generation of intelligent, capable, and kind young engineers.
