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

Rockwell Automation’s sponsorship of the FIRST program within Australia and New Zealand builds on a ten year association between the two organisations in the United States.

“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,” says Rockwell Automation South Pacific commercial marketing manager Matthew Treeby.

In Australia, FIRST is co-ordinated by Professor Michael Heimlich, of Macquarie University’s Faculty of Science. FIRST offers three exciting programmes: The FIRST Lego League, the FIRST Tech Challenge and the FIRST Robotic Challenge. All three programmes use robotics to teach the principles of real-world science and engineering to young people aged between nine and eighteen years. Last year, approximately 300 teams, or 2,500 students across Australia, participated in the FIRST programs.

“Rockwell Automation are more than sponsors — they are allies. 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,” Michael says.

Rockwell Automation sponsors the FIRST Lego League and the FIRST Tech Challenge, and is the premier sponsor for the FIRST Robotics Challenge, which targets upper secondary school students. As with all FIRST programmes, the challenge changes each year. In 2012, students competed in the Rebound Rumble — a game of extreme basketball.

FIRST displayed one of their robots at Rockwell Automation on the Move in Sydney last year. This gave visitors the opportunity to meet team members and gain an understanding of the capabilities of these incredibly talented students.

“We are enjoying getting involved with FIRST and assisting them with direct sponsorship as well as competition events and family fun days,” Matthew says.

“Our involvement with FIRST really demonstrates our company culture of innovation and is part of our Engineering our Future program to promote science, engineering and technology to the next generation.”