We get what we celebrate!
I had the honor of visiting Dean Kamen one year at the annual launch of the FIRST robotics competition at his New Hampshire home. Kamen is best known as the inventor of the Segway, the two-wheeled gyroscopically-stabilized scooter, but many kids have become familiar with Kamen through FIRST: "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology."
I should emphasize that Kamen established FIRST before our own renaming of UMR to Missouri S&T. The FIRST competitions provide not only STEM technical content, but also education and practice in managing, budgeting, fundraising, marketing and efficient use of team management resources. The FIRST competitions also teach and practice these essential skills that are particularly relevant to our own educational programs in Kummer College.
Today, I propose that we take the byline of the robotics program to heart, as Kamen often says: "We get what we celebrate." His goal was to encourage family, friends and community to cheer technical accomplishments and create an environment of collaboration to encourage broad participation in STEM activities.
We are proud to host the FIRST Tech Challenge Championship this Saturday, March 8, in the Gale Bullman Building. Come on out and cheer for all of the FIRST teams!
