Team France : How can we make robotics more popular despite stereotypes ?
Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST Global, answers a question from Team France.
Who is Dean Kamen ?
Dean Kamen is a well known American inventor, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for science and technology. He has dedicated his life to inventing useful tools and encouraging young people to engage with science.
A Brilliant Inventor
Dean Kamen has invented over 1,000 devices, especially in the medical field. Even during his student years, he created :
- A portable pump for delivering medication, now used in many hospitals.
- The first portable insulin pump for people with diabetes.
Some of his other famous inventions include :
- The Segway, a two-wheeled electric vehicle.
- The iBOT, a wheelchair capable of climbing stairs.
- A bionic arm for injured soldiers.
- A water purifier for developing countries.
Entrepreneur and Technology Leader
After selling his first company, he founded DEKA, a company that develops innovative technologies to improve people’s lives.
Passionate About Education
Dean Kamen founded FIRST, an organization that runs robot competitions to encourage young people to love science and technology. His goal is to show that science can be as exciting as sports.
Prestigious Awards
Dean Kamen has received many honors for his work :
- He received the National Medal of Technology in 2000. Awarded by President Bill Clinton, this medal recognizes his inventions that have advanced medical care worldwide and his innovative leadership in inspiring America’s interest in science and technology.
- He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997.
- He received the Lemelson MIT Prize in 2002.
- He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.
- He is also a member of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, as well as many other national and international engineering organizations.
In Summary
Dean Kamen is an inventor who uses science to change the world and help people. He believes that young people like you can do the same with curiosity, imagination, and passion.
What if every child had the tools to solve problems in their community ?
FIRST Global is a U.S. based nonprofit public charity founded by Dean Kamen, the creator of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Its mission is to inspire leadership and innovation in youth from all nations by empowering them through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
By encouraging intercultural communication and cooperation among high school students around the world through STEM, FIRST Global empowers them to collectively tackle the world’s most pressing issues and to propose solutions that improve everyone’s quality of life. The FIRST Global Challenge is the mechanism to achieve this goal. By bringing together these future STEM leaders in an engaging and collaborative competition that emphasizes the importance, excitement, and relevance of STEM education, FIRST Global uses robots to build kids with the confidence, skills, imagination, courage, and vision to do great things.
FIRST Global also strives to encourage governments and organizations around the world to embrace and invest in STEM education believing in the potential of their young people, who will soon begin shaping the future of the world.