Featured Image

But FIRST, Robots!

FIRST Robotics teams inspire future science and technology leaders while building practical skills. AMT was proud to host its first ever Tech Invitational competition for the teams. Learn how you can get involved.
Apr 03, 2023

Hours of planning. Weeks of practice. Trial and error. And error. Finally, success. That’s a cycle that’s familiar to everyone from elite athletes to successful entrepreneurs.  

The young people who participate in FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competitions follow this same cycle, as they face new challenges and build innovative robots. FIRST inspires future science and technology leaders through a mentor-based program that builds practical skills and promotes self-confidence.   

AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology recently hosted its first ever Tech Invitational competition at its McLean, Virginia, headquarters. The event showcased the work of three FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams from the D.C. region. The teams competed in a "Shark Tank"-style contest for a $1,000 cash prize. During their pitches, the students addressed the unique capabilities of their robots, as well as their approach to problem solving and teamwork.  

Ultimately, AMT could not pick a winner from among the impressive teams and awarded $1,000 to all three teams. The teams will use the winnings to help fund their upcoming trips to the 2023 FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas in April. The winning teams included: Equilibrium.exe 19458, a team from Potomac, Maryland; electronVolts, a community FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team located in Silver Spring, Maryland; and, FIRST Tech Challenge Team 6417 Blu Cru based in Rockville, Maryland. 

“FIRST competitions are so important because teenagers need something to define themselves,” said Jon Vandegriff, the coach for the electronVolts. “If they choose FIRST to be the thing that defines them, it transforms them. They start thinking of themselves as STEM students and as engineers.” 

Beyond the hands-on STEM education, students also gain new problem-solving abilities. “The FIRST team members are learning to think critically and problem solve within a team,” explained Blu Cru coach Neil Perkins. “In school, homework and tests are done individually. In the real world, that is rarely the case. We are usually solving problems as part of a team, so this is a valuable technical and interpersonal experience.” 

Seelig Sinton, the team coach for Equilibirum.exe, emphasized the mutual benefits of connecting FIRST teams with local manufacturers. “Programs like FIRST are an investment in the future of manufacturing. STEM is a challenging field and the love for it needs to be fostered at a young age,” he explained. “Any company that wants to recruit knowledgeable and dedicated future employees would be wise to sponsor programs like FIRST.” 

To learn more about making connections with the future workforce, visit imts.com/smartforce or reach out to AMT’s Director of Education Catherine (Cat) Ross at CRoss@amtonline.org. 

PicturePicture
Author
Catherine “Cat” Ross
Director of Smartforce Development
Recent smartforce News
AMT recently hosted our first-ever Tech Invitational competition at our McLean, Virginia, headquarters. If you’re interested in checking out your community’s local talent, consider hosting an event like this with your local FIRST or other STEM programs.
A small decision makes a huge impact. To help a customer out, KERN Precision swapped out an existing micro milling machine after delivery of a new unit and donated it to Laney College – increasing their applicant pool of talented machinists.
To honor the legacy of a teammate, FIRST Robotics Teams competed in a memorial tournament in the off-season to remember their classmate, push their skills, and have some fun.
Rockets require immense power. Known as Impulse, the FIRST Robotics Team at the STEM School Highlands Ranch near Denver, Colorado, views themselves as a rocket. AMT is proud to fuel their explorations through its Miles For Manufacturing 5K.
Since IMTS had to be canceled this year and because the majority of students who attend IMTS are from the state of Illinois, we are bringing resources specific to students in Illinois to our Experiences platform...
Similar News
undefined
Technology
By Peter R. Eelman | Jun 05, 2023

Exciting changes are afoot as the IMTS 2024 exhibition rebooking rate outpaces even IMTS 2018! Learn how we've evolved the floor plan to meet our industry's needs and what to expect from our partnerships with the Mesago Messe Frankfurt Group and Formnext.

5 min
undefined
Smartforce
By Travis Egan | Jun 06, 2023

AMT coordinated a three-day trade mission for a delegation from CECIMO, an umbrella organization serving the common interests and values of the European machine tool and related manufacturing technology industries ...

5 min
undefined
Smartforce
By Catherine “Cat” Ross | Jun 02, 2023

AMT recently hosted our first-ever Tech Invitational competition at our McLean, Virginia, headquarters. If you’re interested in checking out your community’s local talent, consider hosting an event like this with your local FIRST or other STEM programs.

5 min