Creating a New Generation of Innovators: FIRST Robotics Program founded by Dean Kamen
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 11.12.13
FIRST Lego League event at
Piner High School on Nov 24
Sonoma County is set to host a FIRST Lego League (FLL) competition on Sunday, November 24, at Piner High School. This is the first time a FIRST Lego League competition for grade 4-8 students has been held in Sonoma County.
FLL is part of the FIRST Robotics Program. FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Its mission is to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills; inspire innovation; and foster well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
There are a number of FIRST Robotics Programs for students of varied ages, including:
- FIRST Tech Challenge for high schools, grades 9-12
- FIRST Lego League for elementary and middle schools, grades 4-8
Some Sonoma County schools have taken part in regional FIRST competitions in the past. Santa Rosa’s Elsie Allen High School and Cotati-Rohnert Park’s Technology High School have each participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge. Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School, Lawrence Jones Middle School (formerly Creekside Middle School), and Austin Creek Elementary School have had teams involved in FIRST Lego League competitions.
Some of these schools have prepared to become FLL competitors through their involvement in the annual Sonoma County Robotics Challenge.
Interview with FIRST Founder: Dean Kamen
Entrepreneur Dean Kamen founded FIRST. Kamen is best known for inventing the Segway Personal Transporter. He holds more than 500 U.S. and foreign patents, mostly for inventions aimed at improving healthcare. He was named the 2013 James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award recipient by San Jose’s Technology Museum of Innovation. Kamen was interviewed by KQED’s Michael Krasny on October 30, 2013. Excerpts from the interview are shared below.
Innovation in America
Kamen believes the United States is different because we have a history of innovation. “America has a deep history of innovation. We created solutions to problems—we innovated and created industries.” Kamen is concerned about innovation in the United States today. “Today we’ve moved from being conspicuous creators of technology to conspicuous consumers of technology—we’re enjoying the last generation’s work ... there’s a sense of entitlement.”
Competition with the rest of the world
“The rest of the world has figured out they need to create things to create value … they are focused like a laser beam on giving their kids science and math so they can be prepared for the next generation of exciting jobs.” Kamen believes that the U.S. needs to encourage more innovation. He says we need a new generation of innovators to solve the growing number of problems facing the world in the areas of energy, environment, food, medical care, transportation, communication security, and food.
Supporting the next generation
Kamen summed up his comments about FIRST saying, “The most valuable contribution we can make in this generation is to give the next generation the tools and the vision and the passion to work hard now and be prepared to be the next generation of innovators. What’s the best innovation you can make today? A better generation of innovators for tomorrow!”
Listen to the KQED podcast with the Dean Kamen interview to learn more.
Blog: Technology for Learners
