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Get Involved
Without the support provided by adult mentors, Gus Team 228 as we know it would not exist. Everyone from the engineers who help with the design and construction of the robot, to the parents that assist in any way they can, contributes to our team. There is always some way to make a lasting impact on our team, and volunteering your time is one of the best ways. Contrary to popular misconception, FIRST about more than just robots and competition. FIRST is about making a inspiring students to their full potential, about instilling in them a passion to aspire toward higher goals in life, and to develop an appreciation for science, math, engineering, and technology. The robotics competition is merely the vehicle for this process.
Just because you may not be a science teacher or a engineer does not mean you should not get involved with FIRST. Here is where NEMO comes in. NEMO which stands for Non-Engineering Mentor Organization is meant to help the parents, teachers, and sponsors who volunteer at FIRST teams, but not with the robot. NEMO was founded in May of 2004 by Kathie Kentfield and Jenny Beatty to give support top all the non-engineering mentors on FIRST Teams. If you would like more information about "finding" NEMO, then send a private message to "KathieK" (Kathie Kentfield) or "RoboMom" (Jenny Beatty) through ChiefDelphi Forums.
Looking to volunteer? Check out these Links!
- FIRST Volunteer Community
- FIRST VIMS (Volunteer Sign-up)
- Volunteer Resources
- NEMO: Non Engineering Mentor Organization
Volunteer Today!
Don't know what you can do to help Gus? Don't worry, you do not need a be a "technical" person to Get Involved!. There are plenty of ways parents and teachers can help out that don't involve the robot. Here's some ways that you can help:
- Help with community outreach efforts
- Organize team events
- Contact local news media to cover FIRST events
- Help design/make pep club giveaways
- Help recruit new members
- Take photographs and video of the team during competitions
- Mentor a sub-team: Robot, Finance, PR, Website, Animation, Pep Club, etc.
- Help with team fundraising
- Make presentations for sponsors/school/board of education/etc.
- Work with the school to create awards/give letters to FIRST students
- And many more!
Learn more
If you would like to read more information about the FIRST program, and the effects that it has had on its participants, we encourage you to read the following white paper from Chief Delphi Forums:
101 Ways Parents Can Help a FIRST Team - Don't know how you can help a FIRST Team? This White Paper from NEMO has 101 possible ways you can help a FIRST team. FIRST Testimonials - Want to know what FIRST is really about, and how it can change your life? What better way to learn about this than from real FIRST participants? This white paper is comprised of a series of letters from actual FIRST students, mentors, and volunteers explaining how FIRST changed their lives.
About FIRST
FIRST was founded in 1989 by the renowned inventor Dean Kamen. The aim of FIRST is to inspire students to careers in math, science, and technology through a fun and engaging robotics competition, which provides students with the ability to meet one-on-one with industry leaders and engineers.
The initial FIRST Robotics Competition comprised of 28 teams competiting in a New Hampshire high school gymnasium. The ensuing years brought rapid growth to the program, to include over 35,000 students, 1,800 teams from 11 countries, competing at over 50 District and Regional Events, culminating with the World Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia.