At every meeting of the Hampton Roads Partnership Board of Directors, we take time to highlight “Acts of Regional Cooperation.” At the June 19, 2009 meeting, Mayor Molly Ward introduced us to Dr. Michael Canty, Manager of the Neighborhood Office for the City of Hampton.
Dr. Canty was the founding Director of Innovations for Schools, Youth, Neighborhoods and Communities (In-SYNC) Partnerships, a nationally acclaimed partnership between The Hampton Neighborhood Office and Hampton City Schools aimed at simultaneously improving schools and neighborhoods.
Dr. Canty shared a video on the “FIRST Robotics” competition and the students of the New Horizons Regional Education Centers (NHREC) which serves the six school divisions on the Peninsula in Hampton Roads (City of Hampton included). Dr. Canty’s enthusiasm for the New Horizons’ students and program was infectious. NHREC focuses on kids “on the margin” and refocuses them on science, technology, engineering and math.
And, FIRST is all about kids taking ownership of tasks and working as teams. Kids that were on the fringe with no direction change their life’s course and become enthused with learning; these are our future engineers.
It is of great benefit to hear about the state of education and technology in Hampton Roads. As the Partnership represents government, industry and academia, it is paramount we learn about and understand these regional efforts. NHREC is a solid example of the power of working together as a region.
About New Horizons Regional Education Centers
NHERC envisions becoming a state-of-the-art regional education center nationally recognized as an authority on specialized educational programs and services that support the development of a world-class workforce and a self-sufficient citizenry. Their mission is to serve the educational needs of the Peninsula’s school divisions, preparing students educationally, technically, and socially, according to each student’s needs, to become productive citizens and a world-class workforce, including future scientists and mathematicians.
About the FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
FRC is a unique varsity “sport of the mind” (with just as much excitement and adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments) designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be.
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem, building a robot (a fascinating real-world professional experience) from parts kits and entering them in competitions designed by a committee of engineers and other professionals.
FIRST redefines winning for these students because they are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.
Film produced and provided herein by Amy Broad, Rock Eagle Productions
1 comment
Joanne Talmage
July 1, 2009 at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I enjoyed the article and the video very much. FIRST Robotics has made teaching math and science easier as the students get to work with mentors in the field to apply what was taught in the classroom. I commend Amy and her colleagues for the outstanding work she has done working with the students from various high schools in the region to gather information for the film.