Industry Insights

Exclusive video interview with founder of FIRST

Exclusive video interview with founder of FIRST

Mouser Electronics has released an exclusive video interview with Dean Kamen, the engineer, inventor, and founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

FIRST is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing STEM education through hands-on robotics programmes that teach problem-solving, teamwork, and more. Since 2014, Mouser has been a key supporter of FIRST, helping to inspire innovation and foster essential STEM and life skills in hundreds of thousands of young people each year.

In the 14-minute video, Kamen delves into topics such as engineering, innovation, and the future of artificial intelligence. He also highlights the importance of inspiring today’s youth to engage with technology-driven futures.

“The best way to make sure that every kid in this country has a great future is to give them access to the kinds of skill sets they develop here at FIRST,” Kamen said. “The world of science, technology, and engineering will create for them exciting possibilities for their life that they probably would not have imagined had they not been involved in FIRST.”

To watch the interview, visit https://www.mouser.com/first#videointerview.

“Fostering STEM education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is a large part of our mission here at Mouser,” said Kevin Hess, Mouser’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are dedicated to inspiring young people’s interest in science and technology, and we are proud to sponsor a program that supports the brightest young minds and future engineers. The FIRST Robotics Competition provides students with a platform for innovation and a chance to solve real engineering challenges while helping to build self-esteem.”

The interview was recorded in Houston, Texas, during the 2024 FIRST Championship, where Mouser served as the registration sponsor. The event brought together over 18,600 young participants from 58 countries to tackle engineering challenges through various robotics programmes. Mouser also played a significant role as a sponsor of the recent FIRST in Texas/UIL State Robotics Championships, also held in Houston. Additionally, Mouser supports local FIRST teams by providing grants for high school teams in its community.

To learn more about Mouser’s support for FIRST, visit Mouser FIRST.