New England Institute of Technology Blog
Premier Technology Education in Rhode Island
TIME Magazine‘s April 22, 2013
United States astounding manufacturing job growth
According to the article, United States manufacturing job growth has advanced over the past three years quicker than any other developed nation and benchmarks the first time in over a decade that factory jobs have gone up, rather than down.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE TIME STORY
Congratulations to the Rhody Girls from Providence Career & Tech, beating out 24 other teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition on Saturday, Feb. 16, at New England Institute of Technology.
[Click Image For ABC6 News Video]
The Rhode Island FIRST Tech Challenge high school robotics tournament has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 16th, at the New England Tech Automotive Center, 101 Access Road, Warwick. The event is free and open to the public at 9:00 am. For any questions please contact Erin Flynn in Admissions at eflynn@neit.edu
Dr. Woodie Flowers attends NEIT FIRST Robotics Championship.He has served as a National Advisor to FIRST since the inception of the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Dr. Flowers helped create MIT’s renowned course “Introduction to Design.” He also received national recognition in his role as host for the PBS television series Scientific American Frontiers from 1990 to 1993 and received a New England EMMY Award for a special PBS program on design. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He recently received The Joel and Ruth Spria Outstanding Design Educator Award from ASME, a Public Service Medal from NASA, and a Doctor Honoris Causa from Andreas Bello University in Chile. He is a MacVicar Faculty Fellow at MIT for extraordinary contributions to undergraduate education. He was also the Inaugural Recipient of the Woodie Flowers Award by FIRST.
Currently, Dr. Flowers is a director of three companies. He and his wife Margaret live in Weston, Massachusetts.
The 2012-2013 Rhode Island FIRST Tech Challenge Championship will be held at the New England Institute of Technology Automotive Campus on Saturday, February 9, 2013.
Saturday, February 9, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Serving as Rhode Island’s FIRST® Tech Challenge Affiliate Partner, New England Tech will host 30 high school robotics teams at the college’s automotive school (Center for Automotive Technology) located at 101 Access Road, Warwick, Rhode Island.
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 students through the fun of robotics. The goal is to engage students in order to develop problem solving, critical thinking, and innovative reasoning skills using custom-designed robots. The participating Rhode Island high school teams will compete for the chance to travel to the FIRST® World Championship in Atlanta, Georgia.
New England Tech will serve as the central point of contact for all participating high schools as well as various after school robotic teams.
The event is free and open to the public – all are welcome.
For more information on the FIRST® Tech Challenge, please contact Erin Flynn, Manager of Admissions Outreach and Events at New England Tech at 401-739-5000, ext. 3462. To learn more about the FIRST® organization, please visit http://www.usfirst.org
Saturday, February 9, 2013
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Under the leadership of President Richard I. Gouse, New England Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit technical college with an enrollment of more than 3,000 students. The college offers over 30 associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
New England Tech students enrolled in a skilled trade program may qualify for the mikeroweWORKS Scholarship! (Yes, that Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs fame)
Erin Flynn is the manager of admissions outreach and events and the New England Institute of Technology. Flynn has been employed at New England Tech for 25 years and also serves as the contact person for the RI FIRST Tech Challenge.
FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” and is a nationwide is a robotics competition for high school students.
Flynn, who holds a Masters in technical education as well as a Bachelor’s in communications from Rhode Island College, talked to Providence Business News about the upcoming FIRST competition taking place at New England Tech.
PBN:
Can you explain a little bit about what the FIRST robotics competition is?
FLYNN:
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, N.H., the 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.
There are three levels of FIRST Robotics for Rhode Island students to get involved. Rhode Island FIRST Lego League, ages 9- 14. The Championship is this weekend at Roger Williams University with 60 RI teams. Once the students have “aged out” of Lego League, our hope is that students will continue on to the FIRST Tech Challenge. Currently, we have several students on multiple teams who have done this. The FIRST Tech Challenge is for students ages 14-18 years old. The teams are comprised of 10-12 high school age students and can be run through the high school, after school, or club team. High school students have the option to get involved with the third level FIRST Tech Challenge, of which there are five teams in Rhode Island.
New England Tech is serving its seventh year as the Rhode Island Affiliate Partner for the FIRST Tech Challenge and as a major sponsor. I serve as the point person for the college. I work with the high school educators and after school teams, the Rhode Island industry volunteers as well as the National FIRST Office. I ensure that all teams have the information they need, that Rhode Island industry volunteers are ready and well prepared, as well as coordinate all event details.
Rhode Island high school age students in the FIRST Tech Challenge compete head to head with robots they have designed. Each year the game or challenge changes. This year is the game RING IT UP.
FIRST is a great way for Rhode Island students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers in a hands-on fun way. I like to think of this event as STEM in action! Rhode Island teams of up to 10 students 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 for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
PBN:
How did New England Tech get involved with the competition?
FLYNN:
NEIT got involved with FIRST seven years ago. U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin invited FIRST founder, Dean Kamen, to the Business Innovation Factory event to talk about FIRST. After Dean Kamen spoke about FIRST, then Governor Carcieri encouraged all the schools to get involved.
Through the Business Innovation Factory and other funding that NEIT was not involved with, the materials needed for high schools to get started in the FIRST Tech Challenge were purchased. The group needed someone to be the state FIRST Affiliate Partner and run the details of the program. My understanding is that Tech Collective suggested NEIT.
Part of my responsibility at New England Tech is to organize high school events. The college had hosted contests here in the past such as SkillsUSA and the Ocean State Automotive Contest. Our ability to organize the details of this type of tournament was what NEIT could offer. Once the initial funding for the project ran out, NEIT felt strongly that this event was important for RI high school students and took on the fiscal aspect.
PBN:
The actual building of a robot seems like a tough task for high school students, how much adviser help is there?
FLYNN:
The building of the robot is tough, but students can get through it. There is great on-line assistance for teachers, coaches, and mentors. I will also say that the coaches and mentors are in touch with each other and are great about offering support to one another. NEIT does host workshops for educators and students as needed.
One of the important lessons students learn from this experience is how to work on a team. Some students may be better designers, builders, or programmers. Within the team, the students are encouraged to take on various roles. Certainly the educators or parents involved do a great job with the teams.
Teams are encouraged to reach out and work with Rhode Island business partners, which are of great help! Individuals from Rhode Island businesses that specialize in Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or Mechanical Design Technology can offer a team a different perspective. Rhode Island high school students meeting and discussing design ideas with Rhode Island industry professionals is a great connection to make.
As part of designing, building, and programming the robot, teams need to keep an Engineering Notebook documenting the process of building the robot. Teams will be judged on this notebook as well. Judges are looking to see what processes the teams utilized to reach their final design.
PBN:
What is your favorite part of the FIRST program?
FLYNN:
My favorite part of the FIRST program is when the Rhode Island high school teams are at the tournament, their nerves have worn off, and they are completely engrossed in the experience. The energy level, the crazy costumes and hats, the fun they have meeting each other all add to the event while they are making sure their robot is competition ready. The last match is like the Superbowl! It makes all the work worth it.
PBN:
Why do you think programs like this one are important for high school students?
FLYNN:
We know that high school students select careers based on what they know and what they have experienced. The FIRST Tech Challenge encourages the Rhode Island high school students to get involved with math, physics, programming, designing and building a robot in a fun, competitive manner. STEM in action!
Check out what employers are saying about New England Tech Grads:
“Of all the local schools in RI, New England Tech has been the most responsive when it comes to recruiting students and alumni.”
American Ring Co., Inc.
“The trend for NEIT grads is still positive relative to finding jobs. A great school with great results!”
Jeffrey Tracey, Manager, IBM
“We have had a great deal of success using NEIT grads to staff our organization. Fully one-third of NetCenergy employees are graduates of or current students at NEIT.”
Don Nokes, Present, NetCenergy
“We have been very impressed with the quality of the applicants that you have forwarded to us here at Astro. In fact, we had hired six previously who continue to work out well and have also hired two more in the past week.
Mike Fanning, Astro of New England LLC.
Mark your calendar! Plan to attend the 7th annual Rhode Island FIRST® Tech Challenge robotics tournament on Saturday, February 9, 2013, sponsored by New England Institute of Technology. The mission of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is to engage students in acquiring science, engineering and technology skills through the fun of creating a custom-designed robot. More than 30 Rhode Island high school teams will be on hand to test their skill on the competition field.
The FIRST® Tech Challenge will be held at NEIT’s Center for Automotive Technology located at 101 Access Road, in Warwick, RI, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
As the event sponsor, New England Tech will serve as the central point of contact for all participating high schools as well as various after school robotic teams. Join your high school team or create one of your own!
For more information on the FIRST® Tech Challenge, contact Erin Flynn, Manager of Admissions Outreach and Events at NEIT, 401-739-5000, ext. 3462 or eflynn@neit.edu. To learn more about the FIRST® organization, please visit www.usfirst.org.
#rhodeisland #newenglandtech #neit #mechanicalengineering #NEITRobotics
Don’t miss this chance to learn about the more than 35 technology programs offered at New England Institute of Technology. Stop by our “Tech Nite” Open House at the East Greenwich Campus located at One New England Tech Blvd. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Just report to the East Greenwich campus where tours of this campus, as well as the Post Road and Access Road campuses, will depart. You will have the opportunity to tour our campuses as well as to speak with faculty, Admissions and Financial Aid personnel.
We have so many new Associate in Science degree programs to offer like Veterinary Technology, Respiratory Care Technology and Health Information Management Technology. Our Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology now offers a cyber security concentration which is a fast- growing field in the computer industry. Licensed Registered Nurses may learn about Rhode Island’s first online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. We are very excited to now offer our new Master of Science degree in Information Technology.
If you need more information regarding “Tech Nite” or any of our programs, just call our Admissions office at 800-736-7744, 401-467-7744 or visit the college’s website at www.neit.edu.
We hope to see you on November 7th!
#technite #rhodeisland #newenglandtech #neit
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