Menu Close

Global STEM Talent Gathers in Missouri

  • April 28, 2016

insight33

Tens of thousands gathered in Missouri this week to take part in the 2016 FIRST Championship, a robotics competition targeted at influencing youth to take part in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of learning.

More than 20,000 youth, from more than 900 teams in 39 countries gathered in Missouri this week to compete in the 2016 FIRST Championship. These teams were the champions from regional competitions that took place around the globe earlier in the year. FIRST is a robotics competition influencing youth to take part in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM fields of learning.

The global competition required students to build a robot that could overcome obstacles to perform a set task. Students were paired with mentors from in the STEM fields to help guide them in completing their task, and to give the students a first-hand look at the career paths available to them.

_E3Y1553

The competition is intense, and builds a healthy competitiveness, along with the key aspects of teamwork, respect and hard work.

We recently caught up with a Missouri team at the regional championships and got an up close and personal look at what goes in to the FIRST competition.

 

Missouri was proud to play host to the events, and ranks 10th in the nation for STEM education programs with more than 350 programs at schools across the state.  This emphasizes the importance Missouri places on STEM and the investment in future Missouri talent.