FIRST Robotics Competition in Dallas

Bright young futures and fresh hopeful faces, buttons beyond measure and gleaming metal robots. All this and more I saw at the 2013 Dallas Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. This is Mouser’s second year sponsoring FIRST Robotics, as the “Friends of the Future” sponsor, contributing expertise and parts to help teams build their robots.

This year, Mouser also expanded its support by donating electronic components to students through a partnership with the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA). Each FRC robotics team receives a kit of parts, including motors, batteries, a control system, a PC, and a mix of automation components — with no instructions. Teams have six weeks to transform their kit into a working robot designed to perform specific tasks. It is through the support of companies like Mouser that kits were supplied to 2,539 teams around the nation. The top 400 teams from regionals across the United States will advance to the April championships.

Each year the teams, made up of high school students from across the country and Mexico, are given a task which their robot must accomplish, plus an optional function which they can build into the robot in order to earn extra points. This year the task was Frisbee tossing, and the secondary function was pull-ups—which made for some very interesting-looking robots!

The requirements for the robots also dictate the layout of the court on which the competition is held. In the next image you can see slots on either end through which the Frisbees were thrown, and various bars for the ultimate in robotic pull-up action.

Mouser sent employees to attend each day of the Dallas Regional, bringing with them parts and knowledge to share with the students. We also brought plenty of swag to show our support and decorate the passersby. Our table held an array of buttons (everybody at FIRST loves buttons!), wristbands, phone stickers, mouse pads, wiring parts and tools, catalogs, and informational material. All of the teams wear their own buttons, as well as those of many other teams, sponsors, and schools, and bring plenty of extras to trade with friend and competitor alike.

More about FIRST! Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, 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 following:
•FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
•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)
•Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds

Scope:
•306,000+ young people in 60+ countries
•57,000+ Mentors/adult supporters
•63,000+ Other Volunteers
•Nearly $15 million in scholarships form close to 150 providers

Through Mouser’s support of national and regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotic Competition programs, students have the opportunity to team up with local engineers, professors, and business people to solve real-world engineering challenges. Mouser is proud to sponsor the projects that support the brightest young minds and design engineers of the future.

And not only does Mouser sponsor the programs, we also sponsor our local high school team! Since last year, we have been supporting FIRST team #3676, from Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. In the 2013 Dallas Regional, they finished in 10th place, allowing them to make it to the Quarterfinals. Check out the team below with their nifty robot, built partially with tech donated right from Mouser!

You can also find out more about the Martin High School team and their robot in the video below:

Suzanna Brooks joined Mouser Electronics in 2011 as a Technical Content Specialist and writes web content about the newest embedded and optoelectronic products available. Suzanna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a private pilot.