THE FIRST GLOBAL ‘Global STEM Corps’

ONE KIT, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

The FIRST Global ‘Global STEM Corps’ (GSC) is FIRST Global’s 21st century answer to a world in need of an inspired generation of young adults who are ready to tackle global challenges. Qualified GSC volunteers are part of an Advisor Team that mentors a FIRST Global national team as they build their robot. By working with students around the world through this process, GSC volunteers help FIRST Global competitors attain all they are capable of and inspire them to pursue fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding lives through STEM. The GSC brings the universal elements of science, cooperation, and competition to the world stage.

1,000+ STUDENTS

mentored through the GSC since 2017.

150+ ROBOTS

built through GSC support since 2017.

OUR MISSION

The GSC’s mission is to equip, train, mentor, and inspire hundreds of students participating in the FIRST Global Challenge each year. Volunteer Advisor Teams are paired with students in different regions around the world where young adults rarely have access to the levels of funding that are necessary to pursue serious STEM education. GSC Advisor Teams use their knowledge and excitement for STEM to not just increase opportunities for FIRST Global participants, but to inspire them to become the next generation of Albert Einsteins, Mae Jemisons, and Stephen Hawkings.

In recent decades, higher-income nations have made significant advances and investments in STEM education, which have led to many of the most important discoveries of the modern era – from high-speed processors and hybrid engines, to advanced prosthetics and miniaturized drones. Unfortunately, since similar investments are not being made in less economically fortunate nations, hundreds of millions of students in the very countries where STEM education is most needed are being left behind – and will continue to be unless those with the knowledge and drive to make a difference step in to help.

 

Since the inaugural 2017 FIRST Global Challenge, a combined total of 196 participating FIRST Global teams have been assisted by 158 Advisor Teams. Well over 1,000 students, mentors, and individuals have dedicated their time to ensuring every participating FIRST Global team receives the help they need each year in order to successfully build a competition-ready robot.

WHAT DO GSC VOLUNTEERS DO?

Volunteers are tasked with virtually mentoring FIRST Global teams. This is through an Advisor Team, where a group of volunteers adopts a country and works with them on a weekly basis to help them prepare for the FIRST Global Challenge. Most teams work together at least once a week through Skype, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, or other instant messaging services. Advisor Teams are not required to visit the country or purchase an official FIRST Global robotics kit, although teams interested can do so through REV Robotics. Your role as an Advisor Team is to guide your assigned team in the robot build process, but not build the robot for them!

 

New for 2023 — we are expanding the GSC to include non-technical help. Not all teams require help with the robot, but many teams need help with marketing materials, how to fundraise and raise community awareness, preparing for awards, organizing their team, and other non-technical areas.

Advisor Teams range from entire FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams, to university students and engineering departments, to groups of professional engineers. These volunteers balance their busy schedules, time differences, and technological challenges to inspire FIRST Global teams by providing them with mechanical, electrical, and programming help, as well as strategic advice.

 

While requests to work with a specific team are taken into consideration, the overall need of a team is placed above this. Some participating FIRST Global teams do not need assistance, especially if they are an existing robotics team or have other experience building robots. The teams that participate in the GSC often have little or no experience. Language skills are also a main component of who an Advisor Team is assigned to. We especially encourage teams that are fluent in Spanish, French, Arabic, or Portuguese to apply!

If your team is interested in being part of the official program, all requests to work with a team need to come through FIRST Global. Please do not reach out to a team on your own as you (and the team) will not be considered part of the official Global STEM Corps.

“I would have to say this is one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. These kids are some of the brightest, most appreciative, and gracious human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The FIRST Global experience has given these kids a sense of self worth that would be hard to produce in any other way. You are changing lives!”

 

—Alan, Mentor of GSC Advisor Team to Team Honduras

READY TO JOIN?

The Global STEM Corps needs people like YOU to help build the most successful, technologically-capable generation to date. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can create a better world for everyone.

 

GSC Advisor Teams are asked to make themselves available to the team(s) they adopt for several hours at least once a week, with the time spent mentoring students spread throughout the week or on a specific day each week. Generally, teams have a video call and then exchange messages throughout the week. A weekly report on how the team is progressing is also required.

 

The Global STEM Corps is open for 2023! Once your application is received, you will receive further updates by email from gsc@first.global. Please officially register your team by filling out the form here. Please note that the form is password protected. The password is: 2023volunteer

 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be fluent in English.
  • Must have access to a computer and reliable internet service.
  • Must be available for a minimum of six hours per week (the more, the better).
  • Must commit to being a mentor through the end of the build period.
  • Must have experience with or a passion for robotics, engineering, programing, or electronics.
  • A passion for spreading knowledge and connecting with people all over the world.
  • Foreign language skills are a plus, but not required.

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

  • Basic mechanical engineering experience (particularly with robotic kit assembly systems).
  • Proficiency in programming with Java (particularly within Android Studios) or other image-based programming systems (such as Google Blockly).
  • Familiarity with Arduino boards and the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for programming.

 

All questions about becoming a member of the GSC may be sent to gsc@first.global.

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