FIRST is more than robots.

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The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills.

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Kids often come in not knowing what to expect - of the program nor of themselves.

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They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, with a sense that they can create their own future.

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- Dean Kamen

[from 1992]

"There's an obvious skills gap in the workplace."
 
"We need 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."

it's still a problem today.

so, why haven't things improved?

Hypothesis #1

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growth in stem fields are faster than anticipated.

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[we can't directly influence this]

Hypothesis #2

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FIRST & STEM Programs have had an insufficient impact.

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we can influence this!

Hypothesis #3

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employers don't have easy access to the talent network.

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we can influence this!