Change Country
Canada - English
México - Español
Argentina - Spanish
Brasil - Português
Australia - English
Belgïe - Nederlands
Česká republika - Čeština
Danmark - Dansk
Deutschland - Deutsch
España - Español
France - Français
Hrvatska - Hrvatski
Ireland - English
Italia - Italiano
Magyarország - Magyarul
Македонија - Македонски
Nederland - Nederlands
Norge - Norsk
South Africa - English
Österreich - Deutsch
Россия - Русский
Polska - Polski
Portugal - Português
Română - Română
Schweiz - Deutsch
Slovensko - Slovenčina
Suomi - Suomeksi
Sverige - Svenska
United Kingdom - English
Україна - Український
中国 - 简体中文
India - English
日本 - 日本語
한국 - 한국어
Singapore - English
Bahrain-English
Egypt - English
Jordan - English
Kuwait - English
Oman - English
Qatar - English
Saudi Arabia - English
Türkiye - Türkçe
UAE - English| ► | Company Profile |
| ► | Awards and Recognition |
| ► | Our Values |
| ▼ | Featured Stories |
| • | 2013 Edison Award |
| • | Automotive Innovations Award 2013 |
| • | Chery Jaguar Land Rover |
| • | Supporting Wounded Warriors |
| • | Auto Shanghai 2013 |
| • | 2013 Best Corporate Citizens |
| • | Diverse IT Professionals |
| • | Electronic Cockpit |
| • | 2012 Kepner-Tregoe Award |
| • | Diverse engineers |
| • | Bespoke Interior |
| • | Garbsen playground |
| • | Ethisphere 2013 |
| • | Hip-point mannequin |
| • | Junior Achievement |
| • | Better Buildings Challenge |
| • | Red Lion High School |
| • | Inspiration Seat |
| • | Governor's Ambassador Award |
| • | Sustainable Energy Factbook |
| • | Improving pediatric medicine |
| • | Hongqi H7 |
| • | Ford Fusion Auto Start-Stop |
| • | Compression Hybrid Molding |
| • | Micro Hybrid Battery |
| • | 2013 CES |
| • | Sound & Vibration Lab |
| • | Top Employer in China 2013 |
| • | Green Masters Program |
| • | Executive Involvement & Steering Program |
| • | Investor relations honors |
| • | Joint Center for Energy Storage Research |
| • | Holland battery plant |
| • | Journey from the heart |
| • | Red Cross Disaster Relief |
| • | Instituto Nacional de Cancerología |
| • | Blue Sky Involve |
| • | ÖkoGlobe 2012 |
| • | Corporation of the Year |
| • | Sustainability in the schools |
| • | Electric vehicle donation |
| • | Florence recycling facility |
| • | World Medical Relief |
| • | Innovative training |
| • | Safety first at Oak Ridge |
| • | Understanding Digital Natives |
| • | Chillers in mines |
| • | End-user research |
| • | Recycled resin |
| • | Green jobs for youths |
| • | AGM battery technology |
| • | Puerto Rico train stations |
| • | 2012 Energy Efficiency Forum |
| • | Automotive Interiors Awards |
| • | Hospital for Sick Children |
| • | World Environment Day |
| • | Start-Stop research |
| • | Best Corporate Citizens List |
Learning through robotics
Johnson Controls helps teens become passionate about science, technology and engineering through robotics competition
If you entered a huge arena to the sound of rock music, loud announcers, cheerleaders and hundreds of screaming teens, you might not immediately connect it to engineers and jobs. But that’s exactly what is happening all over the United States and in several other countries as the high school robotics season enters its competition frenzy.
“Helping kids understand the connection between what they’re learning in math, science, writing and art and the real world is one of our most important investments,” said MaryAnn Wright, Vice President Global Technology and Innovation for Johnson Controls Power Solutions.
MaryAnn has a long history with F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics, an organization started in 1989 by Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway and the first insulin pump. Over the years, she has served as team leader, mentor, and competition judge.
Each year, F.I.R.S.T. coordinates the efforts of more than 2,500 high school teams as they work with professional mentors to design, program and build a robot to meet that year’s “game strategy.” This year it involves developing a robot that can place as many colorful inner tubes as possible onto a huge pegboard set up in a basketball court-like area in two minutes.
“The emphasis of the program is to promote teamwork, cooperation and professionalism while instilling a sense of passion around the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. Beyond designing and building a robot, there are many business acumen-building and community outreach activities. The kids are responsible for building a business plan and engaging potential sponsors to support the robot design, construction, marketing materials development and travel-related costs to get them to the regional competitions. Johnson Controls has been a long-standing financial and mentoring partner for F.I.R.S.T.,” MaryAnn said.
In several North American cities, Johnson Controls provides financial support and employees as mentors to the robotics teams. In 2011, MaryAnn will lead the Johnson Controls effort to support the Rufus King International School and Bradley Technology & Trade High School F.I.R.S.T. Robotics team (Team 1675), part of the Milwaukee Public Schools.
The team of about 16 students is supervised by teachers and mentors – but is really led by two dynamic young women who often are involved in everything from project management and writing technical articles to welding and dressing as superheroes. The team works on construction at Bradley Tech, located in a largely Hispanic neighborhood, and takes the robot to community events to demonstrate the challenge and fun of robotics and engineering.
In recent years, Johnson Controls has supported F.I.R.S.T. teams in Holland, Mich.; Norman, Okla.; Centerburg, Ohio; Capitol Heights, Md.; Roswell, Ga.; Bellamy. N.J.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Brighton, Mich.
“It’s a great way for Johnson Controls to expand our reach into the youth within our community and encourage kids to consider education and professions in the STEM disciplines. Students involved in the F.I.R.S.T. program are nearly four times as likely to pursue a career in engineering and science,” MaryAnn said.
“MaryAnn’s support of the robotics team exemplifies what giving back to the community means through Johnson Controls Executive Involvement and Steering Volunteer Program,” said Mary Dowell, director of community relations in the department of Diversity & Public Affairs.
Our philanthropy and giving supports programs in education, the environment, social services and leadership development. more
Starting with integrity, our values shape our culture and success. 