A Tribute to Woodie Flowers and His Powerful Idea of ‘Gracious Professionalism’
It’s never easy when a hero leaves us. With the recent death of Woodie Flowers, the FIRST community has been mourning the passing of a legend in STEM innovation and advocacy. Woodie passed away on October 11, 2019 at the age of 75 and is survived by his wife Margaret Flowers, his sister Kay Wells, and … Continue reading A Tribute to Woodie Flowers and His Powerful Idea of ‘Gracious Professionalism’
How STEM Programs Solve the Skills Gap Crisis in the Workforce
The skills gap in the workforce is no joke. It’s a serious issue. Even just a cursory search for the topic online yields a long list of urgently worded headlines about the subject–all published in recent weeks. For example: “Technology and the Talent Shortage” (9/17/19, Workforce) “Workforce summit seeks answers to skills gap” (9/18/19, Hannibal) … Continue reading How STEM Programs Solve the Skills Gap Crisis in the Workforce
Volunteer Spotlight: Volunteer Coordinator
Being a Volunteer Coordinator (VC) is a rewarding experience. You can enjoy the community FIRST volunteer programs create and gain experience in the tasks or skills you love. But what precisely does it mean to be a Volunteer Coordinator with FIRST? We interviewed Joseph Beckman, one of our San Antonio VC’s to learn what the … Continue reading Volunteer Spotlight: Volunteer Coordinator
With Great STEM Power Comes Great Responsibility (And the Need for More Volunteers!)
As FIRST in Texas has matured in its mission and scope, something special has been happening in our state that brings the word power to mind: an expansive, continuous growth in STEM involvement among our youth. If you’re a Spider-Man fan, you’ll know the phrase,”With great power comes great responsibility.” Anyone who has been involved in FIRST programs and … Continue reading With Great STEM Power Comes Great Responsibility (And the Need for More Volunteers!)
FIRST in Texas Grants – Apply! Apply! Apply!
The FIRST in Texas grant opportunity is all about helping kids get access to participate on a FIRST robotics team and related competitions. Early exposure to robotics, especially when it’s fun, is the first step to helping graduating students choose to either join the workforce in a skilled trade or attend college and major in a … Continue reading FIRST in Texas Grants – Apply! Apply! Apply!
2019 Global Innovation Award Recap
For the first time in many years, a FIRST LEGO League team from the Alamo Area was selected as one of the 20 Semi-Finalists for the Global Innovation Award: meet the Quadships, from San Antonio! This rookie all-girls team is made up of Amity, Eden, Faith, and Zoe, 4th and 5th graders from a San … Continue reading 2019 Global Innovation Award Recap
FIRST in Texas is Committed to STEM Teacher Enrichment & Professional Development
In Texas we go big in just about everything we do, and that includes STEM education. According to Texas Education Agency, Texas had 1,775 STEM teachers in 2017-2018, and that number is likely rising as we head into the 2019-2020 school year. With so many teachers in the Lone Star State, the need to train our … Continue reading FIRST in Texas is Committed to STEM Teacher Enrichment & Professional Development
Wonderful Things Happen When FIRST in Texas Alumni Groups Get Involved
FIRST in Texas would not be the thriving fount of STEM advocacy that it is without our wonderful alumni organizations. One thing is certain: our alumni groups come from an interesting variety of contexts. They range from organizations at the collegiate level to the official statewide alumni group: FIRST Alumni Network-Texas (FANaTX) which is open … Continue reading Wonderful Things Happen When FIRST in Texas Alumni Groups Get Involved