IMF (INSPIRATIONAL MOTIVE FORCE) LONG TERM ACTION
All of us should be involved in the process of providing IMF(Inspirational Motive Force) to the youth of the world, or at least to the youth of your locale.
Here are the most prominent programs for imparting IMF to young people. The oldest is at the end of this section.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zmS3mXt1dc&feature Click on this link to watch the video on YouTube
For the past 30 years, Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education. What began as a grassroots assembly of science teachers is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards–based challenges to nearly 7,000 teams in 50 states. Science Olympiad’s ever-changing line-up of events in all STEM disciplines exposes students to practicing scientists and career choices, and energizes classroom teachers with a dynamic content experience.
FIRST – FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FRC – FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
Mission – FRC’s 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.
Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
FLL introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities, and through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNa4perHN5c&feature=youtube
Elementary and middle-school students get to:
- Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology
- Apply real-world math and science concepts
- Research challenges facing today’s scientists
- Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills
- Participate in tournaments and celebrations
What FLL teams accomplish is nothing short of amazing. It’s fun. It’s exciting, and the skills they learn will last a lifetime.
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE
FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition, as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
Students get to:
- Design, build, and program robots
- Apply real-world math and science concepts
- Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills
- Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
- Earn a place in the World Championship
- Qualify for over $13 million in college scholarships
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc
JUNIOR FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children’s curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Children get to:
- Design and build a challenge-related model using LEGO® components
- Create a Show Me Poster and practice presentation skills
- Explore challenges facing today’s scientists
- Discover real-world math and science
- Begin developing teamwork skills
- Choose to participate in expos and showcases
- Engage in team activities guided by Jr.FLL Core Values
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jr.fll
Each of these programs vary slightly in their goals and objectives. Whereas some of them are geared for those already interested in math and science, FIRST was originally targeted at the spectators at the competitions. Young people watch an NBA game and when it is over, go out in the driveway, toss the ball around and dream of slam dunking the ball like Michael Jordon or LeBron James. FIRST Robotics Competition did not care who built the robots as long as the teams showed up with a competitive robot and put on an inspirational event for all of the youth in the audience; hence, when the youth return to school, they query the teachers about the competition and how they can get on a team, and they become inspired to learn science and math because their teachers inform them that science and math are what the robots are all about. It is worth mentioning that the technical challenge of the FIRST teams is only a portion of the overall opportunity for the team members. The challenges, include running an organization (management), running a business with a budget (accounting), promoting the team (marketing), graphic design (art), as well as community outreach and volunteerism… and the list goes on and on. The most prestigious award (the Chairman’s Award) in the event has nothing to do with the robot and everything to do with community.
Chairman's Award, the highest award.
PINEWOOD DERBY
This began in the early fifties to accommodate satisfying the interest of young people that were not old enough to compete in the Soap Box Derby.
The first Pinewood Derby® was held in 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280C of Manhattan Beach, California, operated by the North American Aviation Management Club. It was the brainchild of Cubmaster Donald Murphy. The derby, publicized in Boys’ Life in October 1954, was an instant and enduring hit. The magazine offered plans for the track and car, which featured “four wheels, four nails, and three blocks of wood.”
The rules of the very first race stated: “The Derby is run in heats – two to four cars starting by gravity from a standstill on a track and run down a ramp to a finish line unaided. The track is an inclined ramp with wood strips down the center to guide the cars.” The cars still roll that way today.
This is really for kids.
This is just a portion of the community whose goal is to impart IMF (Inspirational Motive Force). It is all about the youth and not about the volunteers. Those of us that volunteer for these programs are thankful for the opportunity to serve something much greater than ourselves.
If you cannot find any of these in your locale, comment on your location and we will find one. OR… you can start your own. You will have too much fun!!!
The other action mentioned was the short term, that is to retrofit the current workforce. There are plenty of people available who have a strong interest in learning.