Show Biz Ain’t Nothing Compared To Science

The world is definitely catching on at how sexy us geeks are. Science is the future; we’re the ones who are going to build the robot that’s going to kick your robot’s ass.

It’s time for the spotlight to swivel over to the scientists who are changing the world, and are going to change the world – because we’re damned cool. Even President Obama thinks so!

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is this incredible initiative inspiring the younger generation to aspire to the vaulted positions of technological and scientific leaders.

Mission

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Created by Dean Kamen, an inventor and entrepreneur, he wanted the FIRST competition to be a society-changing program. Still running since 1989, it’s doing a pretty good job.

More than 100,000 volunteers are involved in making this program a reality. Competitors range from ages 6 to 18 in five different programs.

The competition not only encourages students to nurture a passion for the sciences, but it also facilitates their further study with more then $14 million in college scholarships available through the FIRST Scholarship program.

If you’re a high school geek and you’re passionate about science, this is where you should be. A centre where the sexiest of the geek community pit their minds against one another in battles to glorious victory, while maintaining an ethos of “Gracious Professionalism” – which will hopefully develop an excellent collaborative attitude towards science that is required at academic levels.

Step aside NFL, NBA, or whatever three-letter abbreviation you have for your sport of choice: it’s time for FIRST to become the new prime time sport, and to bring about a new generation of people who exercise their minds for fun.

Discover events happening in your area here: http://www.usfirst.org/whatsgoingon. While most of the events do seem to be located in the US, if you click on the pdf at the top it seems there is an event happening in Tel Aviv this week so stay tuned, those across the world: it may just come to you soon too!

Special thanks to reader Tiffany for suggesting this post!