The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) is proud to announce that it will partner with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) to support the FIRST Robotics Competition. Inspired by scientist, inventor and event founder Dean Kamen’s passionate presentation at the recent ECIA Executive Conference, the association has agreed to work with FIRST to provide the BOM for the kits used by student teams in the Robotic Competition, beginning with the 2013 competition.
The competition was created by Kamen “to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” ECIA is asking its members to support this annual competition by either contributing electronic components and/or donating money. The association will coordinate the donation of components. Interested parties may contact Robin B. Gray, Jr. (rgray@eciaonline.org) for details.
FIRST has skyrocketed from humble beginnings in 1989 into a multi-tiered competition that spans the globe to reach over 250,000 students. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST® designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S.,Canada, and Mexico) and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org.
About ECIA
The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) was formed in 2011 by the combination of the National Electronic Distributors Association (NEDA) and the Electronic Components Association (ECA). The Association connects all segments of the electronic components industry including manufacturers, authorized distributors and manufacturers representatives. ECIA members are involved in networking, development of industry guidelines and standards, advocacy, research, conferences and exhibitions and special interest roundtables. For more information, visit www.eciaonline.org.
