Press Release
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For the first time in nine years, Oklahoma FIRST Robotics teams will travel to Oklahoma City for regional competition held on March 20-22 at the Cox Convention Center. FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – is an international organization seeking to revolutionize the world of science and technology through the use of skill-building programs and activities among high school students. Since Oklahoma began participating, teams have traveled to Kansas City or Houston for FIRST regional competitions. A state must have at least 16 teams to qualify as a host state. Thanks to an educational grant provided by the Oklahoma legislature last year, more schools were encouraged to become involved in the national competitive event and the state’s number of teams rose to 39. In early January, Oklahoma teams assembled on the Oklahoma State University, Stillwater campus for a national kickoff launching the six-week challenge for junior and senior high school students through the FIRST robotics program. There the teams participated in a nationally televised unveiling of FIRST 2008 Game, “FIRST Overdrive.” “In an unprecedented move, Oklahoma provided each team a jump-start in the competition with Kitbots,” according to Robin Schott, manager, Innovative Initiatives and Services, at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Kitbots containing a frame, transmission and electrical hardware were assembled on site with the challenge of mobility within four hours. These Kitbots will serve as the foundation for robots used in competition. Oklahoma students are creating robots for the FIRST Robotics Oklahoma regional competition while preparing for the future in the world of science and technology. “This competitive event is phenomenal,” Schott said. “It challenges [students] just as real-life engineering problems would. They have a short time frame and are not given enough parts in the kits, so they have to improvise and find other ways to fabricate or build those other parts. They have a limited budget, just as you would working on a real project.” Not only does FIRST create student participation in schools, but also professional involvement in occupational education. Professionals from the engineering field provide mentoring to the teams throughout robot construction and competition. “The students need to find people that have skills beyond the classroom,” said Oklahoma FIRST Regional Director Harold Holley. “Mentors are very eager to get involved.” Team instructors and advisers encourage their students to go into the community and find professional contacts willing to offer time and guidance throughout the project. However, some businesses, such as Dell, Inc., in Oklahoma City, contact regional headquarters in search of teams they can assist. “The team from Tri County Technology Center in Bartlesville has received a considerable amount of assistance from Conoco Phillips retirees,” Schott said. “I think these professionals love the idea of mentoring their replacements; the next generation. It re-energizes the mentors, too.” Oklahoma businesses, such as Chesapeake Energy Corp., see FIRST robotics as a way to invest in the same inventive and stimulating management practices they promote in their own companies, ensuring a strong work force for their future. “This is a contest where students have six weeks to apply their knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to design and build a robot,” said Teresa Rose, director of community relations - Chesapeake Energy. “The enthusiasm surrounding their tasks is very similar to the culture here at Chesapeake. Francis Tuttle Pre-engineering Academy students, specifically with this competition, promote an enthusiasm for engineering, and that's what Chesapeake is thrilled to support.” Students enrolled in Oklahoma CareerTech’s 10 technology centers with Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering programs are at a definite advantage. “When it comes to computer software training and experience, the Inventor software provided through Project Lead the Way is recognized by the engineering industry and used in other design courses as students progress through the curriculum,” Schott said. PLTW is a national organization that partners with schools to increase student interest in science and technology through pre-engineering courses. “When my students have an idea, I tell them to draw it out; show me a picture,” said Mike Smith, adviser for the Francis Tuttle Technology Center robotics team. “Through the Inventor software, students are able to draw their designs and create documents as prototypes for future robotics teams.” Aside from technical skills gained and refined through FIRST competition, students are also able to develop interpersonal and teamwork skills that will be vital to a positive work environment. Through the organization’s innovative concept of “gracious professionalism,” students are encouraged to respect other teams and team members while demonstrating high-quality work. “Business and industry see the value of learning that takes place during this competition and they realize it creates better employees for the future,” Holley said. “The students have developed so many skills through this project by learning how to work together,” said Karen Bailey, director of academic affairs and external relations for Great Plains Technology Center. “There has been a change in their leadership and work ethic and the program has given them a different focus.” For more information about FIRST Robotics or Pre-Engineering programs at Oklahoma’s technology centers, please contact Robin Schott, 405-743-5554.
Posted February 12, 2008 |