Dean Kamen
Every year, First Robotics Founder (and famous inventor) Dean Kamen adds to the challenge by putting forth a special homework assignment. This year, Dean has asked us to focus on FIRST and branding.
During 2012′s Kick-off, Dean said FIRST will be the future. For many of the students involved, this is extremely true. FIRST will play a role in their college application process, their choice of career path, and eventually their job interviews and work. The students are challenged to incorporate FIRST into everyday life: it’s not just robotics, it’s FIRST robotics. We’re not team 2202, we’re FIRST team 2202. Dean also challenged the teams to display FIRST prominently, as a brand, on our robot at the competition. Come see us at the US Cellular Arena to see what we’re doing!
Another aspect of the homework is to follow the alumni and see where they’ve gone. FIRST Team 2202 contacted our alumni and created a new space dedicated to them on our website. This page shows a map of where they’ve branched out to across the United States and offers a list of testimonials about where their lives are currently, how FIRST Robotics helped get them to where they are, and what they’ve learned along the way. One of our alumni even had a job interview with a previous FIRST mentor! It’s a small FIRST world out there!
The last part of the homework includes awards and recognition of students, especially our Juniors, because a FIRST award speaks volumes on a college application. FIRST Team 2202 is hard at work recognizing our industrious team members.
For more information about Dean’s homework, visit the FIRST Forums.
Check Out the Brookfield East Robotics Club
Find out more about the Brookfield East High School’s Robotics Club
