MARS Robotics

Research Findings

Researchers from Brandeis University have gathered data in support of FIRST's effectiveness.The following highlights were in an article written by Ursula Burns, President of Xerox Corp.'s Business Group Operations and Ronald Zarrella, Chairman and CEO of Bausch and Lomb. Some key items from this research that they point out are:

• FIRST students are significantly more likely to attend college (88 percent vs. 53 percent) compared with a group of students with similar backgrounds and achievement in high school math and science.
• FIRST students are twice as likely to major in science and engineering.
• FIRST alumni are 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their college freshman year.
• FIRST alumni are more than twice as likely to expect to have a science or technology-related career after college.
• Ninety percent of FIRST students report learning critical, practical work-related skills.
• Eighty percent of FIRST students report increased understanding of science and technology in everyday life.
• Ninety-five percent of FIRST students report increased understanding of the value of teamwork.
• Eighty-nine percent of FIRST students report increased self-confidence.

This research was done with FIRST Robotics alumni who graduated between 1999 and 2003. Teams were from metropolitan areas serving low-income, inner city and diverse groups (56 percent minorities and 41 percent female) from families with limited educational backgrounds.

Featured in ASME: FIRST Steps: The Effects of FIRST on the Common Student

A recent American Society of Mechanical Engineers article sums up what a FIRST Robotics Competition is all about from a mentor's perspective. Read it here:
http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/Newsletters/MechanicalAdvantage/FIRST_STEPS_Effects_FIRST.cfm

How has FIRST impacted MARS members?

Student responses:

• “It’s taught me the importance of engineering and how much fun it is to make robots.” Alex Tays, sophmore
• “FIRST has made me want to follow my programming career more than ever” Jonathan Donato, sophmore
• “I have improved skills with web design, management and motivation.” Tim Arnold, sophmore
• “Helped me on my career path” Stephan Cross, sophmore
• “It has given me something to do that I enjoy and challenges me. Also great on a college resume.” Jeff Bayer, junior
• "I got a 40k college scholarship." Brian Wise, senior

Mentor responses:

• “FIRST has opened my mind to new ideas & given me the chance to mingle with some very intelligent people.” Jim Ehle
• “I’ve learned how builds progress, parts go together and electronics for robot communication” Bill Bonadies
• “Great father & son bonding” David Wise
• “I like the competitiveness and interaction with the youth.” Ramell Tomlin
• “It provides a fun and learning time to spend with my son.” Aaron Arnold
• “I’m inspired to see what these kids can do” Tim Trainer