Engineering program a FIRST for Australia

Rockwell Automation has extended its support of the global FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program to Australia and New Zealand, opening up new opportunities for school students aspiring to become engineers.

Rockwell has a ten-year association with FIRST in the United States; its sponsorship of the program in Australia builds on this relationship.

“We are happy to be supporting FIRST locally - the organisation addresses the need for strong preparation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to improve our communities, create jobs and educate tomorrow’s workforce,” said Matthew Treeby, Commercial Marketing Manager, Rockwell Automation South Pacific.

FIRST team members in 2012

In Australia, FIRST will offer three programs: the FIRST Lego League, the FIRST Tech Challenge and the FIRST Robotic Challenge. The programs use robotics to teach the principles of real-world science and engineering to young people aged between nine and eighteen years. In 2012, 2500 students, as part of 300 teams, participated in the FIRST programs.

The FIRST challenge changes each year. In 2012, students competed in the Rebound Rumble - a game of extreme basketball.

“Rockwell Automation are more than sponsors - they are allies,” said Professor Michael Heimlich, who coordinates FIRST in Australia. Heimlich is part of Macquarie University’s Faculty of Science.

“In addition to contributing towards operational funding, they are providing mentors which are a big part of the FIRST program - connecting students to engineers in the community provides them with important insights into real-life engineering.”