Are you a company owner or corporate executive who thinks about where our future technology-savvy workforce will come from?
Do you look for people who have experience working in a team environment?
Are you interested in hiring young energetic talented people who have firsthand experience working in a challenging environment with solid deadlines and big expectations?
Do you look for opportunities to mentor students in marketing, computer programming, engineering, electronics, science and cutting edge technology?
If so, then you will want to come and see a high school competition that includes all of these aspects March 23-25 at the U.S. Cellular Arena in downtown Milwaukee.
The Planning Committee for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Wisconsin Regional graciously invites you to an event that we are extremely excited and proud to host – our inaugural Wisconsin Regional.
What is FIRST? FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, N.H., the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, multinational competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way.
The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience and a lot of fun. This year, nearly 30,000 high-school-aged young people on 1,133 teams will compete in 33 events. Teams come from 49 states, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Ghana, Israel, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
The competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of lots of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines and deadlines.
If you have children who love to build things or dabble in science, Legos, K-Nex – whatever – you owe it to them to come and experience this firsthand.
Wisconsin and Milwaukee were selected to host one of the 33 FIRST Robotics regional competitions because of the continuing expansion of FIRST teams in Wisconsin and the potential for future growth in the region. It is hoped that this competition is just the first step in further promoting engineering and technology to our youth throughout the area.
FIRST is supported by a strong network of corporations, educational and professional institutions and individuals. Some of the world’s most respected companies provide funding, mentorship, time and talent, volunteerism, equipment and more to make FIRST a reality.
Founding sponsors in the Milwaukee area include: GE Healthcare, Rockwell Automation Inc., Quad/Graphics Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Pentair Water, Quest Technologies and other major corporations.
This year’s Wisconsin Regional has a major sponsorship from NASA. Our educational partners include the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Marquette University School of Engineering, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Waukesha County Technical College.
Please join us at this fantastic event and find out what FIRST is all about. See FIRST teams in action, talk to the students and their mentors, and find out for yourself the value of FIRST, not only to the participants, but also to you.
If you are an owner or executive of a company, come and experience the energy of kids turned on by science and eager to put that enthusiasm to work. If you know an employee who might have an interest in this program for their kids, or to be a mentor, pass this article on to them.
Lastly, after you see this program, I encourage you to put your money where it will do the most good for your business and sponsor a team and the Regional. These young adults are indeed your future.
Join us March 23-25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Admission is free.
Additional information is available at www.MSOE.edu/wisconsinfrcregional and www.usfirst.org.
We look forward to seeing you there.
