FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) focuses on inspiring students in math, science, and technology fields through sponsoring a nationwide robotics competition. Many students and adults get very excited about competing in this challenging and fun atmosphere.
In 1992, the Kokomo HS - Delco Electronics partnership was one of 28 teams to compete in the inaugural FIRST Competition. Since then, FIRST has grown to include over 1100 teams in numerous countries. During this time, the team's partnership has also grown. Over the years, Delco became a division of Delphi, Ivy Tech became a TechnoKat supporting partner, and the TechnoKats have made a name for themselves in Howard County and the FIRST community. The culminating event for the club is the FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) Robotics International Championship, which includes hundreds of teams from all over the world competing for the top spot.
We are proud of our history. We have a strong tradition of competing at a high level in FIRST while also being a model team in showing "gracious professionalism" as we compete. We have mentored many teams, both in Indiana and across North America. These teams and others in the FIRST community look to the TechnoKats as a model FIRST team. We continually strive to uphold that model for how a FIRST team should be organized and how they should compete.
During these many years, the team has been led by the partnership between Delphi and the Kokomo Center School Corporation. The success and stability of the team is a direct result of the strong partnership between Delphi-Delco and KCSC, and to the dedication of mentors, sponsors, and students. There has been much engineering leadership from Delphi during these years also. Various engineers have led the team, while Andy Baker has served as the engineering team leader since 2000.
Many students have been TechnoKats. Many have gone on to work as engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in various fields. We have alumni working in the automotive industry, for companies like Delphi and GM. Other alumni work in aerospace, information technology, consumer electronics, and healthcare. We are sure that being a TechnoKat played a big role in their success today.
Awards |
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|---|---|
| 1992 | National Competition Finalist, Ultimate Keeper Award |
| 1994 | Chairman's Award Finalist |
| 1995 | Chairman's Award Finalist |
| 1998 | National Competition Champion, National "Technical Excellence" Award, Great Lakes Regional Runner-Up, Great Lakes Regional "Best Play" Award |
| 1999 | National Competition Runner-Up, Midwest Regional "Outstanding Defense" |
| 2000 | National "Xerox Creativity" Award, Midwest Regional Champion, Great Lakes Regional Runner-Up, Kettering University Scholarship: $20k, Vinny Cothern |
| 2001 | National Competition #1 Seed & Finalist, Midwest Regional GM Industrial Design Award & Finalist, W. Michigan Regional Leadership in Controls Award & Finalist, Kettering University Scholarship: $20k, Philip Lundberg |
| 2002 | Championship Competition #4 Seed, Championship Autodesk Animation Technical Excellence Award, Midwest Regional Chairman's Award Winner, Midwest Regional Runner-up, Indiana Vocational Education Excellence Award |
| 2003 | Championship Competition #3 Seed, Midwest Regional Champion, Midwest Regional Judges Award for Exemplary Sportsmanship, St. Louis Regional Sportsmanship Award, Pittsburgh Regional Sportsmanship Award, Woodie Flowers Award Winner, Andy Baker |
| 2004 | Championship Competition, final 8, Midwest Regional Champions, Midwest Regional Sportsmanship Award |
| 2005 | Championship Competition, division semi-finalist, Midwest Regional Engineering Inspiration Award, Midwest Regional Safety Award, Boilermaker Regional Judges' Award for Outstanding Excellence, Scholarship: Austin Butler, $30,000 Delphi/Purdue University FIRST Scholarship, Greg McCoy, $2,000 Boilermaker Regional Scholarship, $1,000 IRI Scholarship |
| 2006 | 2006 Boilermaker Regional Chairman's Award, 2006 Boilermaker Woodie Flowers Award - Mark Koors, 2006 Boilermaker Volunteer of the Year Award - Amy Przybylinski |
| 2007 | St. Louis Regional Champions, St. Louis Regional Motorola Quality Award, Boilermaker Regional Motorola Quality Award |
| 2008 | St. Louis Regional Finalist, St. Louis Regional Engineering Inspiration Award, Boilermaker Regional General Motors Industrial Design Award, Boilermaker Regional Finalist |