Michigan Needs to be FIRST
July 1, 2010
Our state and nation need to be FIRST in making learning, innovation, creativity and change a hot commodity for more and more students and citizens .
What is FIRST? It’s an acronym: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.
Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST, is an inventor, entrepreneur and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST.
Kamen is best known for inventing the product that eventually became known as the Segway, an electric, self-balancing human scooter. Quite simply, he “gets it.”
America needs change in order to remain competitive. We need to make science, math and technology as “cool” as football, dating, basketball and the latest iTune or i-device.
If Michigan and America are going to be competitive in this technologically driven, innovation economy, where ideas and jobs can and do move around the globe effortlessly, we need to excite, expand and educate our students to the importance of science, math and technology in their lives.
The vision of FIRST is “to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.”
Kamen says young people can be inspired to become these leaders through “mentor-based programs that: build science, engineering and technology skills; inspire innovation; and foster well-rounded life capabilities, including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.”
FIRST was founded in 1989. It is a nonprofit, public-sector company based in Manchester, New Hampshire, that designs accessible, innovative programs to motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.
School districts throughout Michigan are engaged in FIRST programs, from Armada, Belleville, Crestwood and Detroit to Zeeland.
Some of Michigan’s top companies, including Ford, General Motors, Delphi, Chrysler, DTE Energy, Dow Chemical, Magna International and Stryker, are actively involved by providing coaches, mentors and resources. Community foundations and such notable Michigan foundations as Skillman, Dart, Gerber, Kellogg, Herman Miller and others also are active contributors.
Our public and private colleges and universities, as well as our excellent network of community colleges, contribute their academic firepower as well.
FIRST seeks to promote a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration that encourages competing teams to remain friendly, helping each other out when necessary.
Education is local
The robotics team Frog Force 503 at Novi High School in Southeast Michigan perfected the philosophy of teamwork and cooperation while competing and winning the Chairman’s Award, the highest award given by FIRST at the state competition.
The FIRST Robotics team Frog Force 503 at Novi High School.Jeff Wong, a Frog Force 503 mentor, commented, “FIRST Robotics has made a huge impact on my son’s high school experience, providing not only relevance to the topics taught in the classroom, but a real-world experience in designing and building a game specific-robot in a business-like atmosphere. Our team is set up just like a business, with design, purchasing, production and marketing departments. This provides hands-on experience as to how the business world works.”
Magna International, the most diversified auto supplier in the world, was the sponsor of Frog Force 503 and invested time, expertise and lots of sweat equity and financial resources to create a real-life learning experience for approximately 55 Novi High School students. Those students who participated and made the travel team received a high school “letter” just like they would have in a sport.
John Lawrence, principal of Novi High School, a gentle giant of a man and a topflight education leader, said, “Students who are engaged in FIRST Robotics not only learn many different aspects of engineering and problem solving, but also learn many of the ‘soft skills’ necessary today to be marketable in a highly competitive global job market and economy.”
Mitchell Wong, 17, who will be entering his senior year at Novi this fall and is helping build his and our state’s collective future, has this to say about his FIRST Robotics experience: “Throughout our education, we are told that the material taught in the classroom is applicable in ‘the real world.’ Most students do not have the opportunity to apply said material, but FIRST gives us the opportunity to do so. The physics, mathematics, English and business skills we have learned are fully utilized through FIRST in ‘real-world’ applications.”
The infectious excitement of the Frog Force 503 robotics team can be viewed on You Tube.
A village
Across the nation, FIRST has more than 90,000 volunteers working with students and a network of over 3,500 corporations and educational and professional associations mentoring and assisting young people.Its programs include: Robotics Competition, Technology Challenge, Lego League and First Place, an innovative and creative learning and development program designed to let everyone discover and explore all types of science, math and technology on his or her own terms and in an energetic environment.
“As I travel the state, it never ceases to amaze me the number of great teachers and community volunteers that I meet who go the extra mile giving their time coaching and mentoring our students in robotics competition and math and science clubs,” said state Board of Education member Marianne Yared McGuire. “Great teachers understand that their students will be successful as long as they have the tools to achieve to their full individual potential.”
This year FIRST held 46 regional competitions around the globe, and one international competition at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
David Hecker, president of the Michigan Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel, said, “We owe a debt of gratitude to our great teachers and volunteer mentors from the business community for helping to extend learning through the robotics competition and other FIRST programs.”
FIRST founder Kamen says his goal is to make it just as “cool” for a student to participate in academic competition as it is to letter in football or basketball.
Change is hard
Kamen says it is extremely difficult to “take an idea from a functioning prototype to a successful product.” Technology is easy to develop,” Kamen says, [but] “developing a new attitude, moving the culture from one mental model to another, that’s the difficult part.”Kamen is describing the challenge facing the state of Michigan. We need to make a clear break from our past, where one could drop out of high school and walk onto the factory floor and into the middle class. Those days are gone and not coming back.
Clearly, with the financial issues facing the state of Michigan, doing business as we always have is not a sensible option. The status quo has disappeared as a thoughtful strategy. We have arrived at a time in Michigan when the unthinkable has become inevitable. Our state, local units of government and our schools need to be reinvented. Holding on to the past and protecting the status quo will not work.
Education, innovation, creativity and talent will be our salvation. Individuals, communities, schools, states and nations that want to thrive need to lead the change, not simply adapt to it.
Next leader
The next leader of our state needs to help create an environment where a new entrepreneurial culture that invests in cradle-to-grave education can bloom. Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism were the foundation upon which the old Michigan was built. We need to rediscover these talents as we seek to recreate our state and country.Michigan is America’s canary in the coal mine. We are the nation’s early warning signal to change. With the rise of Brazil, Russia, India and China, there are now billions of reminders that competition has multiplied and is on steroids.
As a state and a nation we must realize that if we want to be first, we must embrace and lead change.
In this fast-paced, knowledge economy where knowledge, talent and innovation are driven by math and science, Michigan and America need to be FIRST.
Coming in second often means you are the first loser.
Tom Watkins is an education and business consultant in the U.S. and China and served as Michigan’s state superintendent of schools from 2001-2005.
(Also see Dome’s September 2009 feature “China Bridge” by Watkins for a detailed focus on China.)
20 responses so far ↓
1 Pam wong // Jul 2, 2010 at 4:04 am
FIRST works! Treat yourself and experience the vigor and passion of a robotics competition. It’s truly indescribable. Teams compete head to head then form alliances to be crowned champion. There are team mascots, uniforms, and presentations. Teaching, learning, safety, leadership, camaraderie and collegiality are evident in abundance. Brilliant students are in their element and demonstrate their commitment to excellence.
The Frog Force 503 team has 50 plus amazing students. They are dedicated to their “sport” and “practice” everyday for long hours during their season. Now, they are seeking to mentor an international team perhaps from China, India or Japan. We have much to learn from these young people. Thank you to FIRST for creating this opportunity for my nephew, Mitchell and my brother, Jeff, and the Frog Force team to excel and thrive! Good luck in the coming season!
2 TIP Lady // Jul 2, 2010 at 5:42 am
Tom,
How awesome of you to remind us of the great things that our kids and volunteers are doing all across the State as well as the country.
Our kids are smart and they need to continue to be encouraged. I have fond memories of my daughter being on the Robotics Team and of her building a suspension bridge that had to support a can of pop in the middle of my living room.
Thanks for reminding us of programs that WORK!!! ~The TIP Lady
3 Jeff Wong // Jul 2, 2010 at 7:18 am
Tom,
Thanks for helping us to spread the word about FIRST. It is Dean Kamen’s dream to have a FIRST team at every high school. If there are schools out there who wish to start a team at their school contact our team at our website.
frogforce503.org
4 luvtheclassroom // Jul 2, 2010 at 8:10 am
Wow– the power of good people wanting to help our children. What an awesome story– thank for sharing.
It was this type of leadership that made Mr. Watkins such a powerful state superintendent and he continues to lead the way for us all.
Thank you again Mr. Watkins for reminding us all the great things that are taking place in our school each and every day!
5 Craig Douglas // Jul 2, 2010 at 11:02 am
Tom Watkins has made a great effort to offer all of us HOPE.
Our students CAN do it, they ARE capable, and our future IS bright because of them. We must point our elected leaders in same direction Tom is headed, where we are in a mindset where we seek action and accept challenges.
6 Monroe Benaim // Jul 2, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hello Tom,
Great article. Both my boys took part in FIRST on robotic teams. They had made it to the regional competition in Orlando and Sam, my older son, actually drove his teams robot in the national competition in Atlanta, GA his Junior year of high school.
Monroe Benaim, M.D.
Chairman
School District of Palm Beach County
3340 Forest Hill Blvd., C-316
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406-5896
7 sandra stewart // Jul 2, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Thank for you continuing to put an emphasis in education inside the classroom! You are a beacon for education in Michigan Mr Watkins..bnsideriss
8 cindy // Jul 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I couldn’t agree more. My son has been on a FIRST team during his high school age and hopes to return as a mentor next year. The cool thing is, my son is not particularly \techy\ he loves science and wants to be a vet, but the wonderful thing about FIRST is that they have a place for all types of talent. He volunteered at events as a Emt, and also booked and negotiated the hotels as well as negotiating pricing for the team uniforms. In addition he learned about building a robot and to appreciate the talents of others. FIRST is a wonderful organization, what you see during robots season is \ real learning\. If you haven’t been to a competition, try to go next year, there are many to choose from in Michigan. Dean Kamen has come to the Michigan Competitions and is great with the kids, he signed everyones T shirt on my son’s team and we all got a chance to meet him. Dean has found the key to true learning.
Thanks for writing about FIRST Tom, I hope people listen to you and if there high school does not have a team, ask why and help get one started.
9 Greg Olszta // Jul 2, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Great story, Tom. Thanks for putting it out there to let folks know that in spite of all the politics, posturing and power grabbing that appear in the media about education, many Michigan students are accomplishing great things. Kudos and thanks to the many volunteers, corporations and education professionals making FIRST possible.
10 Lester // Jul 2, 2010 at 9:48 pm
This seems like a great way to get kids excited about science, math and technology. We have to be doing so much more to kick the education level of our state and country up many more notches.
I have read many of Watkins articles about change,China and education— they all seem to weave the same message— we better get much more serious about the realization that the world has changed and there is no promise that just because Michigan and America have been on top— that we are preordained to remain there.
In fact, as we can see on so many levels, Michigan is in major decline. We better get dead serious to changing or we are going the continued decline.
11 Robert // Jul 2, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Thanks to the great teachers, parents, business, foundations and institutions of higher education that are working together to make this valuable program possible.
A special thanks for our great kids for understanding there are many ways to be “cool”— learning and gaining knowledge is certainly one.
12 Stanley Zhou // Jul 3, 2010 at 12:55 am
It is great article! Michigan really needs kind of FIRST to support our education system, the next leader of our state should recreate and let Michigan education system in the top of our country.
13 Ann K. Crowley // Jul 3, 2010 at 5:51 am
I was unaware of the FIRST organization though very familiar with robotic teams in Detroit Public Schools. Tom puts it all out there — math, science, technology are today and tomorrow. Michigan gets it. Love the team building aspect of robotics and FIRST. That encourages moral character aspect of belonging to just society. All great. Personal story from my teaching experience this year. One of my middle schoolers who presented challenges daily in cooperation shared what he did one weekend in late winter/early spring. He attended his brother’s robotic team competition. That was it for my student. His aspiration was to follow in his brother’s footsteps. He shared details of what these high schools kids from Detroit were doing. It blew him and his classmates away. This led to ways to engage this challenging young adult. Seeing his brother gain success put in his mind there was opportunity for him as well. Robotics, FIRST, team building — education is more than federally and state driven tests for data. Leaders and educators must move beyond seeing learners as all data and realize the need to embrace real world experiences incorporating knowledge gained from classrooms with character building experiences. Our youth deserve as much. Move forward FIRST!
Ann K. Crowley
Detroit Children First
14 Matt Friedman // Jul 3, 2010 at 6:08 am
Tom is spot-on, as usual. This is another reason why our state’s elected officials need to commit to leadership and vision – two qualities that have been lacking as both the executive and legislative branch have been overwhelming reactive and short-sighted in recent years.
15 Jim Dehem // Jul 4, 2010 at 1:05 pm
As usual, Tom Watkins knows that our children are our greatest investment. What successful company doesn’t consider the need to invest in its future?
16 Delia Stafford // Jul 6, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Takes a village? Dr.Watkins ,along with willing and able teams in the state of Michigan , including great teachers and great principals ,would become the national leaders by making dramatic and the much needed changes for the children and youth of America who attend our public, private and charter schools! WINNER!
17 Billie // Jul 7, 2010 at 9:27 am
Thanks Tom for this wonderful article – FIRST is innovative, creative, lets the young students think about science, math and technology and implement what they have learned from the great teachers and volunteers. I think all school districts should be able to partake in FIRST or similar program – it definitely give a challenge to our students.
18 Deb // Jul 7, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Sounds like a great program but let’s start reaching kids in elementary school. I have a bright young man who taught himself multiplication in first grade and he’s getting ignored in school for being “too smart”. He’s actually being trained by the teachers not to learn too much or too fast!! Extreme budget cuts hurt the kids who are our future the most.
19 Education First! // Jul 9, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Thank you for another great article. As a state and nation, we need to do all we can to get our students excited about, authentically engaged with and skilled in science, math and technology. The FIRST program sounds like a phenomenal program that more kids need to be engaged in.
20 Sam Gizzi // Jul 14, 2010 at 4:14 am
Good article Tom and thanks for sharing that interesting program. Making it cool to learn technology in high school is a challenge. Giving students a varsity letter is a great idea. If I was back in HS I know I would want to be a part of that.
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