What is FIRST?
FIRST (Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an acronym that means "Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology". It is a nonprofit organization that creates programs accessible, innovative, not only stimulate interest in science and technology, but also the self-confidence, leadership and life skills.
The entrepreneur - Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire interest and participation for high school students to follow careers in science and technology.
Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and a diligent advocate of science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST.
His plan for students in the school team was to compete with industry rules in a sport, a competition for robotic atmosphere of "Super Bowl of football."
It is a competition that seeks the recognition from society for science and technology. Students, future professionals in science, participate in a competition that brings the technologies that normally only have access through the media and cinema. Engineers, technicians, teachers become directors of their dreams, their "heroes" in the words of the inventor, scientist and co-founder of FIRST - Dean Kamen.
FIRST is an organization run and operated by volunteers. Our success is the direct result of the extraordinary commitment of dedicated people who offer their time and resources. We rely on volunteer work: community leaders, corporate sponsors, teachers, parents, students, and alumni of FIRST.
Impact of FIRST on students and community
The goal of the FIRST program is to attract students, parents and community to the knowledge about science and technology. That drive came after the certainty that it is difficult to attract people when you know how to attract them.
The FIRST program brings together people from different social classes, religions and customs with a single goal, these people with different skills leave their vacation to learn along side their colleagues and mentors. The greatest demonstration of the impact of this first in their lives, is that more and more students and mentors are still in the team over the years.
After seeing the will and determination that students have to learn and have fun, people in the community, parents and mentors work together donating their time, snacks, spare parts and equipment, and of course, all your life experience. Teachers of the school also have their role, they are always available to answer questions and come together each year to pay for the trip of a student.
Any demonstration, exhibitions team and the robot aims to bring to people, often disadvantaged, the opportunity to experience the world of technology, science and its importância.Durante the season, the room of building the robot receives visiting journalists, parents, community and school students who have the opportunity to clarify doubts and learn about the project. To bring the school students, presentations are made so that all know the operation of the robot and the philosophy of FIRST. During the month of July holiday period, students interested in learning robotics come together in a study group to exchange and enhance knowledge and ideas.
Gracious Professionalism
Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, coined the term "Gracious ProfessionalismTM."
Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.
In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.
Safety
In our team, as important as the technical knowledge to build the robot, is the value that is given to Workplace Safety. Despite not being a company, we follow the same security procedures of, for dealing with machine tools and other equipment that require a little more of the care both of whom work directly with such equipment as the people who are around.
The Occupational Safety is defined by rules and laws. In Brazil, the Law of Occupational Safety composed of Regulatory Standards, Rural Regulatory Standards, other complementary laws, regulations and decrees as well as international conventions of the International Labor Organization, ratified by Brazil.
It's given the name Industrial Safety the sets of measures that are adopted to minimize workplace accidents, occupational diseases and protect the integrity and capacity of the employee. Accident is "the occurrence of unforeseen and undesirable, instant or not, involving the exercise of work, causing injury (...)" (NBR 14280/99).
This year lectures were held for the purpose of instructing students and mentors about the need to have a working method suitable and safe, preserving the integrity of staff and equipment.
It is very important that each team member ensure for your safety and his colleagues, respecting the rules, and creating a harmonious working environment where everyone works with satisfaction, respect and security.