On Saturday Goodrich and Brandon students, along with others statewide, had an opportunity to participate in the 15th Annual Kettering Kickoff Robotics Competition and the grand opening of the FIRST Community Center at Kettering University in Flint.
‘The center is a unique place for high school students to get involved firsthand in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities,? said Patrick Major, director of Goodrich Robotics.
‘The FIRST community center is unique in that it’s the first of its kind on a university campus in the country. Kettering has long been a supporter of the FIRST Robotics high school program and given out more than $3.5 million in scholarships to FIRST students. Consider, Goodrich FIRST students have received more than $150,000 in FIRST scholarships from Kettering.?
According to PayScale College Salary Report 2014-15’Kettering University was listed as the top school in Michigan for the income its students will earn upon graduation, a testimony to the value of STEM.
On Friday, Governor Rick Snyder and Flint Mayor Walling were among the dignitaries to attend the grand opening.
‘Gov. Snyder is a supporter of FIRST Robotics and is working to expand the FIRST experience to all high school students in the state of Michigan,? added Major. ‘Support is so strong in Michigan that last year growth in Michigan exceeded all other states in the country put together, a testimony to the partnerships between the Snyder administration, Michigan’s FIRST Corporate partners, and FIRST in Michigan.
Both Goodrich teams had excellent showings, finishing as quarterfinalists. New students to the teams use this as an opportunity to get some hands-on driving time in a competitive setting.