One of America’s top engineers, the inventor Dean Kamen, is probably best known as the brains behind the Segway personal transport device. But 21 years ago, he also created FIRST, or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit organization that primarily uses robotics competitions to get kids enthused about STEM subjects. Now FIRST has joined forces in a strategic alliance with America’s foremost tech school, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), according to Campus Technology.

FIRST and MIT will put together afterschool robotics courses for K-12 students. Moreover, the MIT Alumni Association will encourage its members — who include some of the leading lights in STEM — to act as mentors, coaches, volunteers and sponsors for FIRST. Says the association’s CEO, Judith M. Cole: “The MIT Alumni Association is in a unique position to further the shared mission, vision and values of FIRST.” FIRST President Paul R. Gordon says that MIT’s alumni present FIRST with a rich vein of talent to mine. “Having a strategic channel that allows MIT graduates across the country to act as coaches and mentors for our students gives FIRST tremendous volunteer resources.”

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Filed under: K-12 Education News

Tags: Robotics