Building robots and more at FIRST Robotics

Building a robot is pretty remarkable, all the more when it’s teams of high school students piecing it together in just 6 weeks to compete at an international competition.

Last month, more than 2,000 students from Australia, China, Vietnam, New Zealand, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, USA and Singapore took part in the FIRST Regional Robotics Competition at Sydney Olympic Park.

FIRST Robotics aims to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders, by engaging them in programs that build science, engineering and technology skills. Students work together to build robots that could complete particular challenges.

As part of the program, students receive help from mentors, including industry experts, engineers, school teachers, university students, lecturers, FIRST alumni and others.

A survey of past participants shows those that took part are more likely to study science, technology, engineering or mathematics at university and over 75 per cent of FIRST alumni are now studying or working in a STEM field - skills that are important for Australia's future workforce (Alphabeta).

Google has long supported FIRST and together with Macquarie University we were pleased to help bring the competition to Australia.

This year, we also hosted a breakfast for Women in FIRST to build connections with mentors and be inspired to continue their STEM journey.

FIRST teaches students the computational skills they will need for the future - whether they end up working in computer science, banking, medicine, agriculture or any number of other fields being transformed by technology.

More than STEM skills, the program also develops leadership, resilience, confidence and teamwork - all vital for building an innovation generation. Find out more here.