Imagine if your operations could recruit entry-level technicians and apprentices who 1) had four intensive seasons of hands-on team experience in tightly controlled design-build procedures; 2) had adhered to strict schedules in learning how to solve mechanical, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, and programming problems; 3) had developed strategic and design thinking and begun to build their entrepreneurial and innovative strengths. And as a plus, these recruits would already have learned how to communicate and collaborate, how to observe and strategize, and how to think outside the proverbial box.
No need to simply imagine, though. That pool of great candidates exists. Furthermore, thanks to an important (and inspired) educational outreach, it’s replenished constantly. What I am referring to is FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). This organization (firstinspires.org) was started in 1989, by Dean Kaman (the holder of more than 1,000 patents and inventor of the Segway and the iBOT) and Woodie Flowers, an MIT Professor Emeritus.
Because of FIRST’s robotics programs, students are learning a wealth of valuable life skills AND technical skils through a range of in-school and after-school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities. These programs start students early. For ages 4 to 16, there are three divisions of “FIRST LEGO League;” for ages 12 to 18, there’s “FIRST Tech Challenge.” The capstone program, reserved for ages 14 to 18, is known as “FIRST Robotics Competition.”
In 2020, the 29th year of FIRST Robotics Competitions (scaled back due to COVID), 3,914 teams (over 97,850 students) from 36 countries competed. In this particular program, high schoolers and volunteer coaches and mentors work over a six-week period to build robots (weighing up to 125 pounds) that compete in a cleverly designed international game. The competition requires the student-built-and-programmed robots to complete prescribed tasks, such as shooting balls into goals, picking and placing items onto racks, hanging on bars, climbing, and balancing on elevated beams. (Actual 2-1/2-minute matches, along with the required sets of tasks, and kits of standard parts change annually.)
The top 10 participating countries (teams) in 2020 were the United States (3,166); Canada (270); Turkey (107); Mexico (86); Israel (67); China (65); Australia (46); Taiwan (39); Chinese Taipei (29); Brazil (16); and the Dominican Republic (4). Dozens of other countries hosted/fielded from 1 to 4 teams.
POWERFUL TESTIMONIALS SAY IT ALL
The FIRST Inspires website and other materials include a variety of testimonials regarding the value of these programs. Consider the following quotes:
“My son got involved in the robotics competition program after school not knowing what to expect. During his four years in the program, he mastered computer programming of our team’s robots, did extremely well, went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and excelled. When I say excelled, he started his first full-time job this year earning a six-figure salary for a defense contractor!”
“Our company apprentices have come to us through the robotics competition programs in the local area. We pay their salary, send them to a two-year tech program, and have them working alongside us here in the plant to master their technical skills. The robotics competition gives them a head start, serving as a serious and intensive entry-level preparation program.”
“What’s amazing about the robotics competition? It goes well beyond building a competitive robot. These kids learn to work in teams, communicate, solve problems, try new ideas, work with their hands and mind to figure things out with the advice of their mentors. These students also learn “professionalism” from their mentors and sponsors as well as the rules of the competition. They get to explore all phases of design-build projects as part of the robotics team and eventually find their niche.”
“Our company is a corporate sponsor. Our plant is a local sponsor providing skilled mentors and coaches, our machine shop and fabrication facilities, engineering support, financing for designing and building the robots, and travel to/from the competition events. As a mentor, this program is grueling. But, to see the kids’ technical and interpersonal skills blossom makes it all worthwhile.”
The First Inspires organization sums it up best: “Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team ‘brand,’ hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High-school student participants call it ‘the hardest fun you’ll ever have.’”
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN
The list of FIRST Robotics strategic partners (23), founding sponsors (10), and nearly 1,000 contributors includes a host of Fortune 100 and 500 corporations, coupled with educational institutions and many smaller businesses and individuals at the regional and local levels. The sponsorships and program donors provide team resources, funding, grants, and other forms of assistance. Thousands of volunteers working through hundreds of Program Delivery Partners make things work at the grass- roots level.
Note that the Robotics Competition is not a one-time event. District and regional competition events leading up to the world finals (held in Houston and Detroit) allow participants to fine-tune their robots’ skills, as well as their respective teams’ skills and knowledge. Next year’s season officially kicks off on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). Seven weeks of five-day competition schedules begin in March, and end with four days of FIRST Robotics Championships, starting on April 20, 2022, in Houston, and April 27, 2022, in Detroit.
If you, as a RAM professional, and/or your company aren’t already connected with your local or regional FIRST Robotics programs, its time to check them out. Beyond being a source of industry’s future technicians, those programs can probably use your help as a skilled and knowledgeable coach or mentor. And you’ll have fun in the process.TRR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob Williamson is a long-time contributor to the people-side of the world-class-maintenance and manufacturing body of knowledge across dozens of industry types. His background in maintenance, machine and tool design, and teaching has positioned his work with over 500 companies and plants, facilities, and equipment-oriented organizations. Contact him directly at 512-800-6031 or [email protected].
Tags: reliability, availability, maintenance, RAM, skills shortages, workforce development, automation, First Robotics Competition, first inspires.org
