STEM partnership between FIRST, Automation Foundation, ISA

"Global strategic alliance" to bring professionals, students together

October 6, 2010

The promotion of STEM education for elementary and high school students will be the outcome of a partnership announced at the 2010 ISA Event in Houston Monday.

ISA, the Automation Federation and the FIRST organization will cooperate in that the groups call “a global strategic alliance” to promote science, technology, engineering and math skills for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The FIRST robotics program gives students the opportunity to design and program robots that can perform functions. The FIRST robotics program introduces students to the technological challenges technology programming in an educational and fun environment.

 “The importance of pairing our students with an engaged and accomplished group of engineering and automation professionals cannot be underestimated,” said FIRST founder Dean Kamen. “Our students will get the opportunity to work with professionals whose work reflects the typical challenges and creative rigor that is at the heart of our program.”

“The Automation Federation takes great pride in forming a strategic alliance with FIRST,” said Federation chairman Jerry Cockrell. “Our two organizations share the common goal of increasing awareness of the importance of automation and engineering among young people.”