Frequently Asked Questions
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational non-profit organization, that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today. FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter. FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition in which teams of high school students, sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers, design, assemble, and test a robot capable of performing a specified task in competition with other teams. FIRST also runs the FIRST LEGO League, for children 9-14 years old, and FIRST Place, an innovative science and technology center, including a hands-on children's science museum.
How does the class work?
ME297F is a leadership class members of PUFP are required to take. It typically meets once a week, usually on a Tuesday night from 6-7. The purpose of the class is to serve as the organizations meetings, prepare mentors for traveling to the teams, and develop the skills of our members. It is two credit hours and requires little to no outside class work.
What are the different subteams I can join?
Technical Robotics (High School) This subteam is responsible for mentoring and supporting our three high school robotics teams. Mentors typically travel to the high school twice a week in the fall and three to four times a week during the build season. Mentors work with the latest technology and gain experience in mechanisms, drive trains, programming, electronics, and much more.
Regional Planning
PUFP hosts two regionals in the armory each year, a junior robotics tournament in the fall and a high school robotics tournament in the spring. This subteam is responsible for planning both of these events and promoting them to the FIRST community. The regional events are our greatest outreach opportunity as they bring over 2500 students to Purdue's campus each year.
Junior Robotics (Lego League)
The junior robotics subteam holds its build season during the fall. Mentors teach middle school students how to build and program Lego NXT kits. Teams compete at the Purdue Lego League regional in November. During the spring semester mentors can assist high school robotics teams, plan off season Lego League events and work on various other projects. This subteam travels to schools once or twice a week and is less of a time commitment then Technical Robotics.
Industrial Relations
PUFP has a budget of over $150,000. This subteam is responsible for raising the funds necessary to support our operations. Members of the team make connections with corporations and build networking skills. Major sponsors include GM, NASA, Schlumberger, Kimberly-Clark, Dupont, and many more.
Public Relations
This subteam is responsible for recruiting new members every year. The team also plans all outreach initiatives, creates the organization newsletter, provides web site content, and market the organization. Members also work with high school robotics teams to complete award submissions, promote the teams, and much more.
Information Technology
IT supports every subteam in the program by providing web support, developing new applications, controlling FIRST Dat (the organizations management application), etc. Members also provide assistance to high school robotics teams through programming, web development training, and much more. The program has a history of web excellence with one team winning the national web site award.