Walk Like Woodie

What is this "FIRST" thing?

The culture of FIRST Robotics embodies numerous experiences, we embody our guiding principles through our actions and our words - we share these principles through our core values, we act with Gracious Professionalism®, and when we compete we engage in what we call Coopertition®. You are invited to share examples and stories - add #walkLikeWoodie - of core values at work, Gracious Professionalism® in action, Coopertition® unfolding, and other examples of the culture of FIRST Robotics.

You’re invited to join the FIRST Robotics community in celebrating what makes us special, our humanity. Register online to join your local event.

Core values

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact:  We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Gracious Professionalism® is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Gracious Professionalism is not clearly defined for a reason. It can and should mean different things to everyone.

Some possible meanings of Gracious Professionalism include:

• gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win,
• gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions,
• professionals possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly, and
• gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves.

Coopertition® fosters innovation by promoting unqualified kindness and respect in the face of intense competition.

Woodie Flowers - (November 18, 1943 – October 11, 2019) was an American professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His specialty areas were engineering design and product development; he held the Pappalardo Professorship and was a MacVicar Faculty Fellow.

Flowers was known for co-creating FIRST Robotics, a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience.

#thatsGP

#walkLikeWoodie