FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) recently announced that Bosch has become a FIRST Strategic Partner. FIRST is a global K-12 not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Bosch has been involved with FIRST since 2000, supporting robotics teams with sponsorships, mentor programs and equipment assistance centers, as well as providing scholarship opportunities to FIRST students. The strategic partnership announcement represents a larger commitment by Bosch to FIRST.
As a Strategic Partner, Bosch will have the opportunity to utilize its industry experience to offer insights for FIRST programs. It will continue to provide funding, equipment, volunteers and more to enhance the reach and overall impact of FIRST.
“By sharing our knowledge and resources with FIRST students, Bosch is not only investing in the future of STEM but building relationships between students and mentors,” said Charlie Ackerman, senior vice president of Human Resources for Bosch in North America. “It’s so important to give our time to mentor these young people. As a Strategic Partner of FIRST, Bosch is continuing to grow its support of FIRSTteams and educating and inspiring the next generation of talent.”
The demand for STEM-educated employees continues to rise, and in the future the need will outpace the number of prepared candidates if left unaddressed. Bosch’s partnership with FIRST is a critical component of its larger effort to close the STEM skills gap.
“To close the STEM skills gap, we need businesses and communities engaged and working together to help young people prepare for an ever-changing workforce. Bosch, a longtime FIRST supporter, understands this completely,” said Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST. “We’re thrilled to recognize Bosch as a FIRST Strategic Partner and to continue connecting Bosch associates and resources to FIRST teams so we can inspire and open pathways for more kids.”
This season, Bosch associates will volunteer more than 30,000 hours mentoring students on robotics teams. For the 2018-2019 season, Bosch will support more than 60 teams in the U.S., with Bosch associates acting as coaches, mentors, designers and general volunteers to teams. These volunteers will engage with the four FIRST programs: FIRST® LEGO®League Jr. (Grades K-4), FIRST® LEGO® League (Grades 4-8), FIRST® Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12), and FIRST® Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12).
Bosch also offers two four-year scholarships annually to high school seniors who have participated in FIRST for at least two years and plan to pursue a STEM degree.
Bosch is one of more than 20 other companies (including one federal agency) that have achieved the top-tier level for sponsorship of FIRST. For more information about FIRST programs and sponsorship opportunities, please contact development@firstinspires.org.
About Bosch
Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs nearly 34,500 associates in more than 100 locations, as of December 31, 2017. In 2017 Bosch generated consolidated sales of $13.7 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit twitter.com/boschusa, twitter.com/boschmexico and www.bosch.ca.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 402,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). The company generated sales of 78.1 billion euros ($88.2 billion) in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 64,500 associates in research and development.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com,www.twitter.com/BoschPresse.
About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $80 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST®LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.firstinspires.org.