Purdue FIRST Programs has experienced significant growth since its inception. Our impact as also continued to grow, such that we have emerged as a recognized leader in K-12 robotics mentoring at both state and national levels.
- Inspiration to pursue academic and career paths in STEM fields
- A fun, competitive, and safe learning environment
- Students learn design process, teamwork, as well as business and communication skills
- Valuable leadership training that readily transfers to work environment
- Experiential learning and community service opportunities
- Gain broad set of skills that employers are seek in competitive hiring atmosphere
- Regional competition brings over 2,300 students, and parents, stakeholders to the Purdue campus
- Coordinated recruitment efforts and campus tours generate interest in all things Purdue
- Boilermaker Regional Scholarships (over $36,000 awarded) encourage students to attend Purdue
- K-12 Indiana teachers attended professional development workshops
- Lab/campus tours are conducted during the competition which highlight additional research and learning opportunities
Impact: Indiana and the Community
- K-12 students who participate in FIRST are (from 2002 Brandeis Study):
- More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
- Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co‐op job in their freshman year.
- Significantly more likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree.
- More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology.
- Nearly 4 times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.
- More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities.