How ASME Supports FIRST
Do you know worthy students who will be graduating from high school next year? Help out their team and nominate them for an ASME Foundation-ASME auxiliary FIRST Clarke Scholarship!)
Is there a regional competition in your area? Event volunteers can act as competition referees, robot traffic directors, and technical assistants, among many other roles. If you are interested in volunteering at a FRC regional, you may do so by registering in the web based FIRST Volunteer Information and Matching System (VIMS). Simply go to the FIRST website, www.usfirst.org, click on the For Volunteers tab, then on the Click Here to Volunteer for a FIRST Robotics Competition Event button which brings you to VIMS.
The ASME Guide to FIRST and Universities details the success of engineering programs around the country using FIRST in ways that increase corporate partnerships, attract scholarship money, create recruitment opportunities, and provide curriculum enhancement. Institutions profiled include Northeastern University, San Jose State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
ASME and FIRST
To foster the technological literacy of society, ASME and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) signed an agreement of affiliation whereby the two would work together to achieve this goal. Each year, FIRST hosts a major robotics competition, a perfect vehicle for ASME members to work with students to learn about engineering and develop high-tech robots. Since 1996 ASME has endorsed and encouraged our members' and student members' participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition. We think it is an outstanding activity for exposing young people to real-life engineering experience, and a chance to work with practicing engineers. For students and professionals, it is an exciting chance to experience a full six week 'design-build-test' cycle, with some high-tech ingredients and the fun of guiding the young people on the team.
About the Competition
A national engineering contest, the FIRST Competition immerses middle and high school students in the world of engineering. Working with engineers from businesses and/or universities, students get a hands-on, inside look at the engineering profession. The partnerships developed among schools, businesses and universities provide an exchange of resources and talent, highlighting mutual needs, building cooperation, and exposing students to new career choices and opportunities in the world of engineering.
The FIRST Competition provides companies, practicing engineers, engineering students and teachers the opportunity to introduce the excitement and challenges of engineering to all students from all backgrounds.
In six intense weeks, students and engineers brainstorm, design, construct and test their "champion robot." With such a schedule participants experience a real time product development cycle.
Once the products meet the teams' standards, the teams then compete in no-holds barred tournaments, culminating in the national sporting event, complete with cheerleaders, boisterous spectators, referees, judges and time clocks.
The Role of the Engineer and the Engineering Students
While the high school students are actively involved in the design of the robots, the engineers & engineering students take the lead, use their skills, direct the students and show the students what engineering is all about.
As a member of ASME, you can make a difference.
Become involved!
- Form a team, involving students, faculty and other mechanical engineers
- Be a judge
- Serve as a referee
- Garner corporate support