Youth and Automation!

Upcoming FIRST® Championship an opportunity for STEM-gifted young people to showcase their inventiveness, learn about potential career paths in automation.

Approximately 30,000 young people from around the world are projected to gather in two US cities in late April to participate in the 2018 FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship.

The annual championship—which celebrates excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), innovative thinking and teamwork—takes place 18-21 April in Houston, (TX USA) and 25-28 April in Detroit, (MI USA).

The event, culminating months of regional qualifying competitions involving K-12 students, features three separate robotics competition championships—the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship (grades 9-12); the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship (grades 7-12); and the FIRST LEGO League World Festival (grades 4-8)—as well as the FIRST LEGO League Jr. World Festival Expo (grades K-3).

The showcase event is the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), where finalist teams enter robots they have designed, programmed and built in detailed, demanding contests against like-minded competitors. More than 4,100 teams of high school students, ages 14-18/grades 9-12, throughout the world participated in FRC events this year.

Steven Pflantz
2017 ISA President & Current Chair A.F.

As strategic alliance partners of FIRST, the International Society of Automation (ISA) and its umbrella organization, the Automation Federation (AF), actively support FIRST’s educational programs and mission, and encourage more young people to pursue careers that fully utilize their STEM skills and interests.

Practicing automation professionals will be available at the Houston event
to answer questions about the automation profession

A select group of practicing automation professionals—volunteering on behalf of ISA—will be present during the FIRST Championship Innovation Faire in Houston (at Exhibit #128) to meet with FIRST competitors and their family members, and to answer any questions they may have about career opportunities in automation and engineering.

“I invite all FIRST competitors to come by our exhibit and learn about the many rewarding, exciting and well-paying careers in automation and engineering,” says Steven Pflantz, an electrical and automation engineer and ISA and Automation Federation leader who has routinely attended and supported FIRST Championship events.

Pflantz, the 2017 ISA President who now serves as Chairman of the Automation Federation, insists the experience will be informative.

“You’ll find out what automation really is all about, what an automation professional really does, and discover the best educational and training paths to follow in order to become one,” he explains. “You’ll get direct insights—first hand, from working professionals in the field—about what automation jobs are really like. Who better to talk about these types of careers than the people who are actually in them?”

In simple terms, automation professionals create and apply technology to control and monitor the production of goods and services. Automation professionals are needed in virtually all areas of manufacturing and industrial innovation, including:  

• Oil, wind, and solar power production
• Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing
• Food and beverage manufacturing
• Computer software and networking
• Industrial cybersecurity
• Government, military, and national defense
• NASA and space programs
• Automotive production, including professional racing
• Amusement parks and entertainment, including roller coaster and ride design

The need for automation professionals far outpaces available supply

The time is right and employment trends are favorable for students interested in careers in automation and engineering. The reason? Demand for qualified employees in these fields far outstrips availability.

For example, the manufacturing sector in the US employs nearly 12 million people (the equivalent of 1 in 6 private sector jobs) and supports almost 5 million more jobs. However, five percent of manufacturing jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of skilled candidates. By one estimate, the US alone will need more than 120 million workers with advanced manufacturing skills by 2020. At the current pace, America will prepare less than half of that number.

“The good news for young people who are capable in STEM fields is that there are a lot of career options relating to automation,” reports Pflantz. “These are well-paying careers that are very rewarding. They give young people the opportunity to invent, explore and create new ways of making our economy, our society, our world better.“

#PAuto #STEM #ISAuto @FIRSTweets #USA

Robotics first again...

The rules and game-playing details for its 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) have been announced by FIRST®, a not-for-profit public charity designed to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Picture captures some of the excitement at a FIRST Robotics event in Canada in 2011! This year’s FRC, titled FIRST STRONGHOLDSM (watch video of game rules!), is expected to involve nearly 80,000 high school students on more than 3,100 participating teams throughout the world. Working with adult mentors, students have six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season’s engineering challenge. Saturday’s kickoff event, held in Manchester, (NH USA), was broadcast live to the participating teams at more than 114 venues around the globe. (For a replay of the Kickoff broadcast, click here.) Teams received a Kickoff Kit comprised of donated items and components worth tens of thousands of dollars—but only limited instructions. Once these young inventors develop their robots, their teams will participate in one or more of the regional and district events that measure the robots’ effectiveness and students’ determination and collaborative capabilities. Qualifying FRC teams will compete for top honors at the 2016 FIRST Championship, which will take place 27-30 April in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. • As strategic alliance partners of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), ISA and its umbrella organization, the Automation Federation, actively support FIRST’s multi-faceted educational programs that help young people discover and develop a passion for STEM learning and career pathways. @FIRSTweets #PAuto #ISAuto

Celebration of young people’s interest in science and technology.

As strategic alliance partners of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the International Society of Automation (ISA) and its umbrella organization, the Automation Federation, took part in last week’s FIRST Championship, an annual international celebration of young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. More than 18,000 students from around the globe, from ages 6 to 18, gathered 22-25 April in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), to put their engineering skills and scientific know-how to the test in four different age-specific, team-oriented FIRST programs. This year’s championship event drew more than 900 student teams from 40 countries around the world.   An FRC team makes some final adjustments on its robot before the competition last week. A centerpiece of the four-day event was the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), which combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of designing and building robots. The competition provides students, from grades 9 through 12, with the opportunity to use sophisticated software and hardware, learn from professional engineers, collaborate, earn recognition, and qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships. In all, more than 75,000 high school students, comprising more than 3,000 teams, participated in 56 FRC regional competitions. In support of this year’s FIRST Championship, ISA and the Automation Federation hosted an informational exhibit where student competitors could learn about the automation profession and how to plan for careers in the field.  “This event continues to amaze me each and every time I go,” proclaimed Steven Pflantz, an electrical and automation engineer and ISA and Automation Federation leader who has now attended all five FIRST Championship events held in St. Louis. “The positive energy from all these kids having fun, being challenged and competing in this way is uplifting and awe inspiring. This is a remarkable and talented group of young people, and a lot of them are potential future automation professionals.” Pflantz was among a select group of practicing automation professionals from the St. Louis area---volunteering on behalf of ISA and the Automation Federation—that met with FIRST competitors and their family members to answer questions about career opportunities in automation and engineering. Joining Pflantz, an Associate at CRB Consulting Engineers, at the ISA/Automation Federation exhibit were:  Carrie Tietjen – Process Automation Consultant, Experitec, Inc. Cory Kniepp – Sr. District Sales Manager Central Plains Region, Emerson Industrial Automation, ASCO Numatics Nick Erickson– Sales Representative, Instrumentation & Controls, Mead O’Brien Michael Unterreiner – Sr. Process Specialist, Emerson Industrial Automation, ASCO Numatics Gregg Dougan – Account Manager, Experitec, Inc. Frank McCormack – ‎Principal Controls Engineer, EPIC Systems, Inc. “All of us came away highly impressed with how many of these young people are already mapping out their future plans,” Pflantz reports. “Based on the positive energy they are generating and the commitment they are demonstrating, I feel there are no limits or boundaries these students cannot reach.” In addition to inspiring STEM-centered creativity and inventiveness, Pflantz says FIRST competitions help cultivate the practical skills that are required to succeed in the workplace. “It’s not all just about building robots,” he points out. “Because FIRST stresses the importance of planning, project management and collaboration, these young people are gaining vital real-world experiences they can put to use in their future careers.” A positive job market for automation and engineering professionals Career options are bright in engineering and automation because the demand for qualified employees in these fields far outstrips availability. In the US, the number of science and engineering jobs over the past decade has grown three times more quickly than jobs in other sectors. At the same time, colleges and universities aren’t producing enough graduates to fill the jobs. Just half of college students who start with a science- or math-related major graduate with this type of degree, according to a recent report from the US Department of Commerce. By one estimate, the US alone will need more than 120 million workers with advanced manufacturing skills by 2020. At the current pace, America will prepare less than half of that number. Pflantz emphasizes that more needs to be done to encourage STEM learning among young people and to expand awareness about careers in automation and engineering. “Automation and control professionals need to get the word out about the advantages of pursuing a career path in engineering and automation,” Pflantz declares. “As working professionals, we can play an important role in helping young people decide what to do, and make better decisions as well as providing mentorship during the initial phases of their careers.”

Our second FIRST story!

This is the second story (Creating young scientists! 1/5/2013) in as many days on that unique organisation founded to foster science and technology among the youth of today. The Irish phrase "Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!" (Praise youth and it will come!) comes to mind when we think of this organisation and whenever one comes across any of their "happenings" - such as the one described here - one cannot but be impressed by their enthusiasm and exuberence.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in the USA, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering.

With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $15 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST^®Robotics Competition (FRC^® ) and FIRST^®Tech Challenge (FTC^® ) for high-school students, FIRST^®LEGO^® League (FLL^® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST^®LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism^™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. 

As strategic alliance partners of FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the International Society of Automation (ISA) and the Automation Federation took part in last week’s FIRST Championship, an annual international celebration of young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.

More than 10,000 students from around the globe, from ages 6 to 18, gathered April 24-27 in St. Louis (Missouri, USA) to put their engineering skills and scientific know-how to the test in three different age-specific, team-oriented programs. This year’s event drew nearly 650 student teams from 37 countries around the world, and attracted more than 2,800 mentors, coaches and adult supporters, and over 750 event volunteers. (See short wrap-up video below!)

One of the highlights of the three-day event was the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), which combined the excitement of sport with the rigors of designing and building robots. The competition provides students, from grades 9 through 12, with the opportunity to use sophisticated software and hardware, learn from professional engineers, collaborate, earn recognition, and qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships. This year, more than 2,500 teams in 17 countries participated in 77 FRC regional and district competitions.

During this year’s FIRST activities and competitions, ISA and the Automation Federation hosted an informational exhibit where students involved in FIRST learned about the automation profession and how to plan for careers in the field.

“This event continues to amaze me each and every time I go,” proclaims Steven Pflantz, vice president of ISA’s Professional Development Department who was among a contingent of ISA and Automation Federation leaders and staff that attended. “The positive energy from all these kids having fun, being challenged and competing in this way is uplifting and awe inspiring. This is a remarkable and talented group of kids, and a lot of them are potential future automation professionals. Based on the energy and commitment they show, the future looks bright for the automation profession.”

Robert Lindeman, Chairman of the Automation Federation and 2012 ISA President, came away equally as impressed: “It was truly eye opening to see these young people so motivated to learn and apply engineering skills. If we can harness this energy, I feel there is no limit to our future, and no boundary that these students cannot reach in leading us there.”
The FRC competition, Pflantz points out, also “provides the practical skills and real-world experience that young technical professionals need to succeed in the workplace. From budgeting and scheduling to meeting deadlines and working together, these students are required to meet very realistic project scenarios that even seasoned professionals would find challenging.”
Lindeman says that by applying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge in a non-traditional, fun environment that stresses the importance of teamwork, problem solving and innovation, FIRST events are highly successful.

“Fostering interest and enthusiasm among young people is critical to developing the new engineers and technicians needed to meet the challenges of the future,” Lindeman asserts.

Most government and corporate leaders in the US echo this point of view, insisting that directing more students toward science and technology will boost American innovation and economic strength. Certainly, demand is growing for graduates in these fields.

In the US, for example, the number of science and engineering jobs this past decade has grown three times more quickly than jobs in other sectors, according to a 2012 report from the US Department of Commerce.

At the same time, however, colleges and universities aren’t producing enough graduates to fill the jobs. Just half of college students who start with a science- or math-related major graduate with this type of degree, the report says, placing the US near the bottom of industrialized countries in this area.

Both Pflantz and Lindeman agree that more needs to be done to encourage STEM learning among young people and to expand awareness about careers in automation and engineering.

“Automation and control professionals need to get the word out about the advantages of pursuing a career path in engineering and automation,” Pflantz declares. “We need to work with schools and guidance counselors so that students can better plan for these careers. As working professionals, we can play an important role in helping young people decide what to do, and make better decisions as well as providing mentorship during the initial phases of their careers.”
“It’s an honor for ISA and the Automation Federation to partner with FIRST,” Lindeman emphasizes. “I encourage all of our members to get involved in FIRST on a local level. I guarantee that you will be invigorated by participating and inspired by the enthusiasm and talents of these impressive young people.”

Along with Pflantz, Lindeman and ISA staff members, the following members of ISA’s St. Louis Section attended last week’s event: Nick Erickson, Mike Unterreiner, Keith Thomas and Brian Nixon.

FIRST and the FIRST logo are registered trademarks of the United States Foundation For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). LEGO^® is a registered trademark of The LEGO Group.

Creating young scientists

FIRST® Robotics Competition students program
robots to run autonomously, or control them with
a gaming joystick

FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and National Instruments have announced that they are extending their technology partnership through 2019 with the shared goal of creating more scientists and engineers. FIRST engages young people in exciting mentor-based robotics programs that celebrate science and technology, inspire innovation and foster self-confidence and communication skills. NI provides the real-world engineering tools that power these programs.  

This phase of the technology partnership centres around the creation of a next-generation embedded robotics control platform code-named “Athena.” Athena is a super-rugged, reconfigurable controller that, when paired with NI LabVIEW system design software, makes it possible for FIRST teams to design real systems faster than ever. Students will use Athena starting in the 2015 season of the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^®).

 Starting with Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®), which is the entry-level program in a Progression of Programs at FIRST for youths ages 6 to 18, students use tools powered by LabVIEW to intuitively learn embedded control and robotics programming concepts. As students advance through these four robotics programs, access to tools that scale with each skill level is essential to their success. Athena, which is programmable with LabVIEW, gives high school students experience with the same tools they will use throughout college and in their science and engineering careers.

 “We’re excited to extend our technology partnership with FIRST to continue pursuing the shared goal of creating more scientists and engineers,” said Ray Almgren, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at National Instruments. “We believe the combination of LabVIEW and this next-generation controller will continue making programming more accessible to all students.”

 Through a donation from NI, FIRST will provide these next-generation robotics systems to participating teams starting in 2015. This donation provides hardware for all existing and “rookie” FRC teams over a five-year period. NI also currently provides LabVIEW software to all FRC teams. Students in FIRST will use the same hardware and software platform professional engineers currently use to create applications in virtually every industry, from testing smartphones to launching spaceships.

 “Support from partners like National Instruments is helping FIRST provide hands-on learning experiences that mirror what students will do in their future careers,” said Steve Chism, Vice President of Programs at FIRST. “We’re creating a generation of scientists and engineers ready to confidently take on the challenges facing our world.” 

Enhancing interest in science & technology among youth!

The Automation Federation (AF) and its founding sponsor, the International Society of Automation (ISA), continue to build on their partnership with FIRST® to strengthen math and science teaching in K-12 education, and inspire and support a new generation of technology innovators.

Earlier this year, Marcus Rasco, a senior professor in electronics at DeVry University in Texas (USA), and the president of ISA’s North Texas Section, served as a judge at the Dallas East Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, at the Dallas Convention Center.

Two years ago, the AF and ISA entered into a formal partnership with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and motivate young students toward careers in automation and engineering. As part of this alliance, AF and ISA members around the world are highly encouraged to participate in FIRST initiatives in their local communities.

“Participating as a judge in this competition enabled me to gain a first-row seat to the inventiveness, creativity and scientific aptitude of many of our young people,” Rasco said. “It was a great experience and it drove home the importance of continuing to help and encourage young people develop their technological skills and capabilities.”

For years, Rasco has been actively involved with school districts in northern Texas to place a greater emphasis science and technology instruction. He has helped conduct numerous robotics, electronics and biomedical-related workshops at middle schools, high schools and on the DeVry University campus.

One of the challenges that these students face is the high start-up costs for a robotic kit. Upon Rasco’s recommendation, ISA’s North Texas Section approved a donation to one local school, the Jack E. Singley Academy, to help defray the costs of a robotic kit. In addition, he contacted representatives at five other professional engineering societies in Texas, urging them to become involved through either donations or mentoring initiatives.

“Marcus Rasco’s initiative is emblematic of the type of grassroots involvement and mentorship that we envisioned when the AF and ISA decided to partner with FIRST,” says Mike Marlowe, AF director. “Our organizations have a common goal to increase the awareness of automation and engineering education around the world. As industry professionals, we’re in the ideal positions to enrich the lives of young people and open their eyes to exciting career pathways in automation.”

Dean Kamen, FIRST® founder and chief executive officer at DEKA Research and Development, emphasises that “bringing students together with engaged, accomplished engineering and automation professionals helps stimulate interest in STEM course work, which is essential for America to remain competitive in the fields of automation and technology.”

FIRST is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1989 to attract young people to career opportunities in STEM. Each year FIRST offers young people from ages six to 18 the opportunity to participate in an international robotics competition and celebration where teams win recognition, gain self-confidence, develop people and life skills, make new friends, and perhaps discover an unforeseen career path.

AF seeks to serve as a catalyst for cultivating the next wave of automation professionals. The AF and ISA have developed initial work plans with FIRST to recruit new volunteers, mentors, and sponsors, establish new teams, and promote the work of FIRST through ongoing workforce development initiatives.

All across the U.S., business, engineering and educational leaders are forming partnerships to improve the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from America’s educational system.

Many experts say that the lack of emphasis on science and math learning in our public schools is causing the U.S. to lose its edge in innovation and eroding its capacity to create new scientific and technological breakthroughs. If this trend continues, they say, America’s long-term economic growth, standard of living and national security could be undermined.

Alliance to promote automation in primary education

STEM Education

The Automation Federation (AF) announced that FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has formed a global strategic alliance with AF and the International Society of Automation (ISA) to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for students in kindergarten through high school (K-12).

AF has positioned itself as the catalyst for building the Next Generation of Automation Professionals through its workforce development initiative. One component of that initiative is K–12 education. The strategic alliance with FIRST will serve to enhance and accelerate that effort with a U.S.-based pilot program designed to encourage STEM education for K–12 students through increased after-school participation in FIRST robotics programs.

The goal of the FIRST-AF-ISA pilot program is to increase the number of young people, teams, and volunteers participating in all of FIRST’s robotics initiatives and programs. To bring about this increased participation, these organizations will combine their resources and collaborate on efforts to promote the importance of K–12 STEM education and the value of participating on a FIRST robotics team to students, teachers, parents, and automation professionals.

This pilot program will provide the automation professionals that comprise the Automation Federation member organizations, including members of ISA, across the US, with the resources and support they need to effectively build local collaboration for FIRST events in their geographic areas. These volunteers will be matched to FIRST affiliate and operational partners and provided with resources to assist their volunteer efforts, including instructional materials, guidelines for starting robotics teams, and marketing support. In addition, these volunteers will be recognized for their volunteer efforts through an Earned Recognition program.
“The importance of pairing our students with an engaged and accomplished group of engineering and automation professionals cannot be underestimated,” said Dean Kamen, FIRST founder and CEO of DEKA Research & Development. “Our students will get the opportunity to work with professionals whose work reflects the typical challenges and creative rigor that is at the heart of our program. I applaud the efforts of the Automation Federation and ISA to tap the resources of our FIRST students as a means of raising awareness of STEM.”
(Dean Kamen is a Keaynote Speaker at this years Automation Week in Houston 4/7 October 2010)

"The Automation Federation takes great pride in forming a strategic alliance with FIRST,” said Jerry Cockrell, 2010 Automation Federation chair. “Our two organizations share the common goal of increasing awareness of the importance of automation and engineering among young people through the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math education. Through this alliance, we hope to build the Next Generation of Automation Professionals."

"ISA is pleased to join the Automation Federation and FIRST in our combined effort to excite young people in grades K through 12 about the power they have to enrich their own lives and to make a difference in the future of our world through science, technology, engineering, and math,” added Nelson Ninin, 2010 ISA president. “Our members are stepping forward to play an important role in promoting the efforts of FIRST."
“This strategic alignment elevates our students for continuing their success in automation technology,” said Jon Dudas, president of FIRST. “There is a tremendous fit between our respective organizations. FIRST students and the automation professionals of AF/ISA speak a common language. This collective intelligence will no doubt play a key role in taking automation technology to the next level and improving our standard of living worldwide.”