Car enthusiasts around the world already know about General Motors and the high quality of GM parts, but few people know that every spring GM employees engage in an exciting program that focuses on education, science and engineering. That program is known as the FIRST Robotics Competition.
FIRST – which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – is one of many educational programs sponsored by GM that focuses on science, technology and engineering, or STEM. GM is one of the Founding Sponsors of FIRST, and every year team members from 169 GM facilities around the world participate in approximately 300 education initiatives. It’s all a part of GM’s Driving a Better Tomorrow Initiative, and it is just one example that shows that the company is making education an high priority.
Working with Students at All Levels
FIRST has four programs that serves K-12 students around the world. Within FIRST, GM employees act as coaches and mentors for students aged six to 18. The focus is placed on younger students in the fall with the FIRST LEGO league and the Junior FIRST LEGO league. After that, the focus shifts towards older participants with the FIRST Robotics Competition occurring in the spring. The FIRST Robotics Competition or FRC took place this past April at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO.
GM and Educational Outreach
STEM studies are obviously important for GM. After all, robotics and engineering go hand-in-hand with the manufacturing of GM parts and automobiles. However, GM Manufacturing also participates in other educational outreach programs such as literacy programs, environmental awareness and social skills mentoring. GM facilities around the world also donate engines, vehicles and GM parts to local technical schools, and they regularly provide educational tours of their facilities to give students a closer look at the auto manufacturing world.
Knowing all this about General Motors provides one more reason to shop GM. So why not check out our extensive inventory of GM Parts today?
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