FIRST Robotics Awarded $2.27M in Funding » CBIA

Connecticut is making a major investment in FIRST Robotics programs for the state’s K-12 school system. 

The Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund allocated $2.27 million to expand FIRST in the state. 

FIRST advances STEM education through hands-on, team-based robotics activities and competitions. 

FIRST offers different programs and leagues for specific grade levels, including Pre-K-8, 7-12, and 9-12.

CBIA affiliate ReadyCT will oversee Connecticut’s FIRST Robotics programming in partnership with New England FIRST. 

Critical Investment

“This investment is critical and a real win for the state’s students,” ReadyCT executive director Shannon Marimón.

Over the next two years, the funds will be used to add 20 new teams to the more than 250 FIRST Robotics teams already in the state. 

The project will help cover costs like registration fees, student summer camps, and equipment costs. 

Three new regulation-sized fields will also be created around the state for teams to practice and compete. 

NE FIRST executive director Michal Fantom said the partnership with ReadyCT and MIF will help them reach more students, particularly in underserved school systems.

“We are creating a space where students can feel comfortable to grow, develop, and understand how the skills that they are learning in this program can open doors to numerous opportunities in their future careers,” he said. 

Building Career Skills

The goal is to not only increase access to STEM learning in Connecticut but also address workforce shortages in STEM industries.

“The FIRST program not only gives students technical knowledge, but also important skills that employers value including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

“This program enables us to train a workforce crucial to the success of our future manufacturing sector while also providing students with a fun opportunity to compete,” added chief manufacturing officer Paul Lavoie, who chairs the MIF advisory board.

Hartford Public High School student Gabrielle Nieves said participating in FIRST helped her decide to pursue a career in engineering.

“I love the fact that I get to use my hands and work with a team to build a robot, and it’s just the best feeling when we build it and then make the robot move,” she said.

Since its founding in 1989, more than three million young people in 100 countries have participated in FIRST programs.

The organization says 81% of FIRST alumni declare a STEM major by the end of their college careers. 

“When students engage in STEM learning and get involved with building and playing with robots at an early age, they become more STEM literate and demonstrate interest in exploring STEM-based careers like computer science and engineering,” said Marimón.