The FIRST Robotics Competition, or "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology," was founded in 1989 by Segway® Personal Transporters' inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. The program challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by the FIRST engineering committee.
FIRST encourages "Gracious Professionalism," which describes a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Gracious professionals learn and compete with enthusiasm, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.
John Abele, one of Boston Scientific's founders, is the current Chairman of FIRST, fulfilling his interest in science literacy for children, education and the process by which new technology is invented, developed and introduced to society.
Boston Scientific has participated in the program for several years, and provides monetary and mentoring support to seven teams in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Volunteer mentors do the community and industry a service by inspiring and nurturing the talents of the next generation of scientists and engineers and, in turn, strengthening schools in their communities. Students see first-hand what it takes to develop a sophisticated electromechanical device, from low-level engineering through team organization and resourcing.
Minnesota Regional Championships
Boston Scientific-sponsored teams experienced great success at the two 2009 Minnesota Regional Championships, held April 2-4 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. At the 10,000 Lakes Regional Competition, the King TeC Team from Prior Lake High School placed first in the competition, securing a chance to compete in the 2009 FIRST Championship on April 16-18 in Atlanta, GA. Three other Boston Scientific-sponsored FIRST Robotics teams (Roseville High School, Agricultural Food and Sciences, and Convent of the Visitation) formed an alliance to compete in the Minnesota Regionals and took home second place.
The 2009 competition featured a game called "Lunacy," which was played on a 24 by 50 foot field covered with slippery flooring material to simulate a lunar driving experience. Matches consisted of competing alliances of three robots that were challenged to deposit "moon rocks" in their opponents' trailer during the 15-second autonomous operation period, and the two-minute tele-operated period. The alliance with the most moon rocks won the match. The seven Boston Scientific teams welcomed this year's challenge and designed machines that performed very well while energizing the audience.
In addition to the team successes at the 10,000 Lakes Regional Championship, Boston Scientific employee Kurt Aschenbeck won the Woodie Flowers Award, which is presented to the top individual performer and celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. Dr. William Murphy established this prestigious award in 1996 to recognize mentors who lead, inspire, and empower through the use of outstanding communication skills.
More information can be found on the MN Regional website or the FIRST website.
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