| Paper Title: | AZ FIRST Robotics: Energizing K-12 Students and Creating STEM Educational Pathways |
| Author: | Shawna Fletcher, Arizona State University, shawna.fletcher@asu.edu |
| Suggested track: | K–12 initiatives and partnerships |
| Presentation type: | Full paper |
| Preferred Category: | Scholarly Teaching |
| Abstract: | Recent reports from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Academy Engineering (NAE), and National Research Council (NRC) have indicated a steep decline in the number of young students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In Arizona, the number of young students interested in pursuing engineering and technology has also shown a decline that parallels national trends. One current statewide effort that utilizes robotics as a mechanism to impact students, especially those underrepresented in technical career fields, is supported by academia, industry, and the community. These classroom and/or extracurricular activities serve to motivate students by providing a framework for exploration of engineering design and innovation through hands-on application. Student team members engage in necessary workplace development skills through their involvement with teamwork, project management, critical thinking, and fundraising/marketing. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a multinational non-profit organization, is expanding programs in Arizona to address STEM educational needs and to open the pathway for young students. FIRST aspires to transform the educational culture by making science, technology, engineering, and math exciting and enjoyable. Industry has taken leadership and created the FRC Planning Committee, a group of actively engaged members who expanded FIRST competitions in Arizona to impact over 1,000 high school students and almost 700 FIRST Lego League (FLL) students age 9-14. Since 2002, the FIRST Planning Committee has partnered with industry to host the Arizona Regional FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). By 2007, twenty-seven Arizona high school teams (including the very first team from the Navajo Nation) and 18 teams from other locations worldwide participated in the FRC competition. By supporting individual teams, providing necessary equipment, mentoring and technical expertise to ensure their success, industry collaborates with educational entities, including universities and rural educational communities, to teachers and students alike. An overview of AZ FIRST Robotics teams and activities will be presented as well as preliminary data on student persistence and tracking into STEM fields. In addition, anecdotal evidence will be presented regarding the experience and success of individuals that have participated in FIRST Robotics Programs. Finally, the role and impact that industry has played on the success of this statewide program (including access to student resources and scholarships) will be discussed. |
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