2001 FIRST Robotics

FIRST, or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a national robotics competition that integrates the talents of High Schools, Universities and Corporations. Now in its 10th year, FIRST provides opportunities for high school students to work alongside engineers to design and build a competitive robot in a mere six weeks. Each year in January, the FIRST organization unveils a new game. Each of the nearly 500 teams then has six weeks to design and build a robot to compete in the game. There are weight and size restrictions for the robot as well as limitations on materials and components. There are a number of regional competitions throughout the United States during March. The National competition is held each year at Epcot Center in Florida.

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) has sponsored the "Pitt Crew" for five years now. Working with Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School as well as TechLink Programs of Pittsburgh, the Pitt Crew has been near the top of the list for the past three years. Our association with TechLink makes us the only team that actively pursues the inclusion of students with disabilities on our team. Steel Center also incorporates a "robot academy" into its curriculum for those interested students.

During the six-week construction period, students are mentored by engineers who teach them the basics of designing components and systems for the robot. This includes electrical, electronic, mechanical and pneumatic systems. Students are all given an opportunity to manufacture their components in the HERL machine shop. The competition usually involves multiple robots in a competitive but cooperative contest in which skill and teamwork is the main goal. Teams must assess their teammates' strengths in a short amount of time and formulate a game plan quickly. The competitions, although intense are non destructive and it is always to your advantage to help your teammate.

• Pittsburgh Post Gazzette article from Thursday, March 05, 1998:
  "Dueling robots: Two teams of students are ready to send mechanical creations into national battle"