Dean Kamen Wins National Medal of Technology

FIRST robotics programs help kids better realize their potential

by Kimberly Chapple

Dean Kamen sharing FIRST literature with the president while seated on an IBOT

The 2000 National Medal of Technology was awarded last month to Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Manchester, NH, a non-profit organization whose mission is to generate an interest in science and engineering among today's youth. Kamen, a physicist, engineer and inventor, was presented the medal by President Clinton in Washington, DC, for his inventions that have "advanced medical care worldwide," as well as for his "innovative and imaginative leadership in awakening America's youth to the excitement of science and technology."

The National Medal of Technology is America's highest honor for technological achievement, recognizing groundbreaking contributions to innovation, global competitiveness, productivity and improvement of our standard of living. Kamen's inventions include the first wearable infusion pump, which rapidly gained acceptance in chemotherapy, neonatology and endocrinology, and other infusion devices such as insulin pumps for diabetics and the Home Choice! dialysis machine.

Called the Pied Piper of Technology by Smithsonian Magazine, he has also inspired thousands of high school and elementary school students by offering them the opportunity to team up with professional engineers in science and technology competitions.
FIRST partners with LEGO on the FIRST LEGO League Challenge competition for children 9- to 14-years-old, believing that kids learn best when they work together and are actively engaged in constructing something they find personally meaningful.

The FIRST Robotics Competition is another national engineering contest that teams high school students with engineers for six intense weeks while they work together to brainstorm, design, construct and test their "champion robot." The teams then compete in a spirited, no-holds-barred tournament complete with referees, cheerleaders and time clocks.

Fluid power industry groups such as the Fluid Power Distributors Association (FPDA), Cherry Hill, NJ, National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), Milwaukee, WI, and others support the competition with product, engineering and mentoring support to more than 500 high school teams nationwide.

For more information:

Circle 547 - FIRST or connect directly to their website via the Online Reader Service Program at http://www.OneRS.net/101df-547

Circle 548 - FPDA or connect directly to http://www.OneRS.net/101df-548

Circle 549 - NFPA or connect directly to http://www.OneRS.net/101df-549