About Us
The following is the FIRST Robotics Newfoundland and Labrador Mission, Vision and Values.
Our Mission
To inspire young people of Newfoundland and Labrador to pursue further studies and careers in the field of science, technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. This will be achieved by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering, and problem solving skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-round life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership. We pursue our mission primarily through running FIRST LEGO League Challenge robotics competitions FIRST LEGO League Explore for school-age students at the elementary and junior high school level.
Our Vision
To transform Newfoundland and Labrador by creating a culture where science, technology and innovation are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science, technology, and innovation leaders and entrepreneurs.
Our Values
Gracious Professionalism™: We instill this value at every opportunity. We expect, require and reward on-field and off-field conduct that models the best values of professional respect and courtesy.
Coopertition®: Our programs are designed so that to succeed, teams must be able to cooperate with other teams as well as compete with other teams. This is an important real world skill. The principles of “gracious professionalism™” and coopertition™ work hand in hand.
Judged Awards: We make significant efforts to recognize and reward accomplishment, whether or not it is reflected in success on the playing field. We make it clear that our most prestigious awards are our judged awards. We deliberately seek judges of considerable standing and seniority (e.g. university professors, engineering vice presidents, entrepreneurs, managers) so that students know, when making presentations to such judges or when receiving an award from them, that the award is truly a meaningful one.
Indirect Learning: Our mission is to inspire, not to formally educate, but participation in one of our events involves the application of a remarkable range of creative and analytical skills, as well as the development of valuable social intelligence skills. Students must learn to problem-solve collectively, as members of a team, while under constraints of time, cost, weight, size, game rules and regulations and other restrictions.
Learning from mentors: We believe that much valuable learning takes place when students work side to side with adult mentors who are taking time from their professional careers to share their knowledge of and enthusiasm for science, technology and engineering with students. We work hard to put strong mentoring relationships in place. We value mentors as teachers and as role models.
Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Volunteerism: Participating students fully reflect the diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador society. Our program is volunteer led and volunteer delivered. Part of our mandate is to encourage more young women to consider careers in science, technology and engineering and we appear to be having some success in this regard.
For a detailed breakdown of the FIRST Vision and Mission where they have received Special Recognition.