Grimsley High School Robotics, Greensboro, North Carolina
Grimsley High School Robotics, Greensboro, North Carolina
FIRST's (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It's as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.
FIRST also wants to change the attitudes in the workplace as well. FIRST has coined two terms that show their ambition to create a more collaborative workplace: "gracious professionalism" and "Coopertition."
Gracious professionalism means that teams will always be kind and courteous to each other, on and off the playing field. While the games are often very intense, physically and emotionally, FIRST students never let these feelings develop into hatred or loathing towards other teams. In fact, you often see rival teams helping each other work out kinks in their respective robots in the pits following a tough match. This attitude is not present in many professional leagues, where money and attitudes often lead to outbursts of anger and frustration.
Coopertition means that while teams are competing against each other, they are also working together to achieve a larger goal. Coopertition means that there are no secrets; if one team has a great idea, every team should have access to that same idea. In the eyes of FIRST, competing does not mean that we should stop cooperating with each other but rather start collaborating to help every team become the best they can be.
Students get to: