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Session 2325

FIRST - Engineering Partnerships Between University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Platteville High School

Jill M. Clough, Sheela N. Yadav-Olney University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Abstract

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science has partnered with Platteville High School and Wisconsin Power and Light to participate in the FIRST National Robotics Competition for the second year. FIRST, which is an acronym-- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a program initiated by Dean Kamen of New Hampshire to provide a stimulating engineering exercise to high school students around the nation. High school students partner with universities and/or corporations to build a "robo- gladiator," from a kit of parts and limited other supplies, which competes against those from other teams with diverse backgrounds. The competition brings the spirit of professional sports to engineering, science and technology. Teams have a tight time frame in which to build the robot and prepare it for shipping; and much preparation goes into the planning, designing, and strategizing. The high school students enjoy working on the university campus with college students and get an opportunity to experience engineering design and construction first-hand. In addition, AutoDesk 3-D Studio Animation software has been granted to each the university and high school. Students use this high-tech application in designing and programming a 3-D animation video for a separate concurrent competition. Students involved in the project gain exposure to multi-disciplinary work teams, technical writing, public relations with the media, and coordinating the logistics of a moderate-scale project. UW-Platteville has enjoyed its successful partnership in promoting engineering to high school students.

Introduction

As stated in their promotional publications:

FIRST is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a demand for science and math learning. This effort is guided by a coalition of national leaders from business, government, education and the media. The FIRST Competition is the national creative engineering contest featuring school, business, and university partnerships. Played out in the spirit of sport, the Competition immerses high school students in the exciting world of engineering. Teaming up with engineers from businesses and universities, students get a hands-on, inside look at the engineer's profession. In seven action-packed weeks, students and engineers work together to brainstorm, design, construct and test their "robo-gladiator" which competes in national tournaments complete with referees, cheerleaders and time clocks. The result is a fun, exciting and stimulating environment in which students can discover the important connection between classroom lessons and real world application.

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Yadav-Olney, S. N., & Clough, J. M. (1997, June), First Engineering Partnerships Between University Of Wisconsin Platteville And Platteville High School Paper presented at 1997 Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10.18260/1-2--6572