Advancing Learning 2018

FIRST Robotics Transcends Traditional Boundaries of Technological Education
This session will introduce the participant to FIRST Robotics and how it can be used to transcend the traditional boundaries of technological education and engage a diverse audience of students through authentic and problem based learning.

FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is a not for profit  public charity that was started by Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.

FIRST utilizes a team based, collaborative robot challenge that motivates young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

FIRST  activities can be leveraged to build cross-institutional teams of faculty and provide students with real world cross curricular learning opportunities. FIRST also engages high school level students and provides a clear pathway for recruitment to multiple programs at the college level.
The presentation will include the physical robot created by the students from both Fanshawe and the supporting high schools (John Paul II and Ingersol District Collegiate) that was used at the competitions this past semester. Opportunities for cross curricular and capstone projects will be highlighted as well as descriptions of two capstones that were a result of the FIRST robotics team.