FIRST Global’s Origin:
Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST, established FIRST Global after 27 years to extend the organization’s impact worldwide. Kamen recognized the positive impact of STEM education on children and believed all kids globally should have the opportunity to participate. He drew inspiration from the Olympic model, where countries send one team to compete in established sports.

FIRST Global’s Mission:
FIRST Global aims to spread the FIRST model and plant the seed of STEM education in every country. By sending one team per country to compete, FIRST Global hopes to spark local interest and the development of regional FIRST programs. The goal is to create a global sport that connects kids from all nations and fosters cooperation and communication skills.

FIRST Global’s Impact:
FIRST Global’s vision is to create a generation of kids connected through a sport that’s accessible to everyone, regardless of size, gender, or location. Kamen believes this global network will promote cooperation, cultural exchange, and career opportunities in STEM fields.

Dean Kamen’s Daily Routine:
Kamen’s daily schedule is unpredictable as he seizes opportunities and responds to various commitments. He interacts with business leaders, government officials, Nobel laureates, young innovators, and potential collaborators. Kamen’s flexible approach allows him to explore new possibilities and maximize his impact across FIRST, medical projects, and other initiatives.

Opportunities and Problems:
Dean Kamen sees every problem as an opportunity in disguise and spends his time trying to stay one step ahead of the problems he’s trying to solve. He’s motivated by the desire to make a positive impact on the world and improve people’s lives.

Focus on Solving Important Problems:
Kamen works on projects that he believes are critically important and not being adequately addressed. His projects range from medical devices like insulin pumps and dialysis machines to mobility solutions like iBots and promoting STEM education through FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

Unconventional Approach to Work:
Kamen dislikes the idea of having a boss and being told what to do. He strives to create solutions to problems that the world needs and believes that if he can provide value, the world will reward him, allowing him to continue working on his projects.

Empowering His Team:
Kamen expects his team members to be highly self-motivated and driven by the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. He provides them with resources and support, but encourages them to take ownership of their projects and find creative solutions.

Factors Contributing to Success:
Kamen attributes his success to a combination of factors, including: Hard work and dedication A strong drive to solve problems An ability to see opportunities where others see challenges A willingness to take risks and think outside the box The support of his team and collaborators

The Importance of Hard Work:
Dean Kamen emphasizes that there is no simple secret to success and that the only common element he has observed among highly successful people is their willingness to work extremely hard and with unwavering focus.

Education, Networks, and Background:
Kamen dismisses the notion that success is solely determined by education, networks, or family background. He highlights that successful individuals come from diverse backgrounds, with some having PhDs, some dropping out of college, and others never attending college.

The Common Trait of Successful People:
Kamen reveals that the one common trait he has identified among all the successful people he knows is their unwavering dedication and hard work towards their goals.

Beyond External Motivation:
Kamen asserts that successful people are driven by an intrinsic motivation to work hard and achieve their objectives. They are not driven by external factors such as bosses or the desire to avoid working hard.

The Reality of Success:
Kamen dispels the misconception that success can be achieved through shortcuts or simple formulas. He emphasizes that true success requires immense hard work and a level of dedication that goes beyond what any boss could demand.

Motivations Behind Dean Kamen’s Medical Inventions:
Dean Kamen’s initial inspiration came from his brother, a medical doctor, who faced challenges in delivering precise drug doses to newborn patients. He began creating devices in his parents’ basement to address this need and continued to develop medical products due to the positive impact they had on patients’ lives.

The Segway’s Origin:
Kamen’s work on medical devices led him to identify the challenges faced by wheelchair users, particularly their inability to navigate various terrains. This realization led to the development of the iBot, a self-balancing robotic wheelchair that allowed users to traverse stairs and uneven surfaces. The technology developed for the iBot was later adapted to create the Segway, a personal transporter that became widely popular.

The Importance of Collaboration:
Kamen emphasized the importance of collaborating with medical professionals to understand their needs and challenges. He highlighted that medical experts often have solutions on the biology and medicine side, while engineers like himself can provide technological solutions to make these treatments practical.

The Impact of Kamen’s Inventions:
Kamen expressed difficulty in comparing the significance of his different inventions, as they addressed diverse needs and had unique impacts on individuals. He acknowledged that while some inventions, like the insulin pump, had the potential to benefit millions, others, like the prosthetic arm for veterans, were life-changing for a smaller group of people.

The Common Thread:
Despite the varied nature of his inventions, Kamen emphasized that they all shared a common goal: improving the lives of those in need. Whether it was through medical devices, prosthetic limbs, or personal transporters, his work aimed to address specific challenges and empower individuals to live more fulfilling lives.

Most Impactful Projects:
Dean Kamen considers inspiring and educating a generation of innovators to be the most impactful project, as they will continue to solve global challenges. Kamen believes that ongoing innovation can make current medical technologies obsolete, leading to better treatments and potential cures for diseases.

FIRST’s Global Impact:
Kamen emphasizes the significance of FIRST and FIRST Global in fostering innovation and creating more innovators worldwide. He views FIRST as a long-lasting legacy that promotes global problem-solving and drives continuous progress.

Proudest Moment in FIRST Global:
Kamen finds it challenging to pinpoint a single proudest moment due to the remarkable growth and achievements of students involved in FIRST and FIRST Global. He is consistently impressed by the poise, maturity, and sophistication of students within the FIRST community.

The Power of FIRST Global:
Dean Kamen highlights the profound impact of FIRST Global in igniting passion, focus, and teamwork among students. He emphasizes that the community, teamwork, and relationships built through FIRST programs extend beyond technology and foster well-rounded individuals.

The Rapid Growth of FIRST Global:
Kamen expresses surprise and excitement at the rapid global adoption of the FIRST Global model. He describes the exponential growth in the number of participating countries and teams, surpassing initial expectations.

FIRST Global as an Olympic-Style Event:
Kamen envisions FIRST Global as an Olympic-style event where each country has its own team. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, aiming to involve every country in the world.

The Success of FIRST Global Events:
Kamen recounts the success of the first FIRST Global event in Washington, D.C., which attracted over 130 teams. He highlights the subsequent events in Mexico City and Dubai, which witnessed participation from a growing number of countries.

The Impact of FIRST Global in the Middle East:
Kamen shares the remarkable experience of FIRST Global in the Middle East, where kids from countries with historical conflicts collaborated and supported each other. He emphasizes the power of FIRST Global in fostering cooperation and understanding among youth.

The Importance of STEM Education for All:
Kamen stresses the critical importance of STEM education for all students, regardless of their career aspirations. He explains that understanding technology is essential for responsible citizenship and informed decision-making in today’s world.

Technology and Global Issues:
Kamen emphasizes the role of technology in addressing global challenges such as climate change and environmental preservation. He highlights the need for individuals to comprehend science and technology to make informed decisions about policies and practices.

STEM Education as a Fundamental Skill:
Kamen compares STEM education to literacy, arguing that it is a fundamental skill necessary for navigating the modern world. He challenges the notion that STEM education is only relevant for those pursuing STEM careers.

Dean Kamen’s Perspective:
Dean Kamen emphasizes the significance of instilling the importance of science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) education in young people. He stresses the need for global citizens to possess a fundamental understanding of STEM to effectively navigate the challenges of the future. Kamen believes that STEM literacy is as crucial as reading and structured thinking, and no one should be considered “innumerate.”

Emery’s Agreement:
Emery concurs with Kamen’s views, acknowledging that scientific literacy is vital even for individuals not pursuing STEM careers. She highlights the growing importance of data literacy in various fields, including humanities and policymaking.

Dean Kamen’s Role in FIRST and FIRST Global:
Kamen acknowledges that he is not involved in the data aspect of FIRST and FIRST Global. He emphasizes his strength lies in generating new ideas and providing direction to planners and organizers. Kamen believes that a clear vision is more critical than detailed planning in driving progress.

Dean Kamen’s Contribution to FIRST and FIRST Global:
Kamen’s primary goal is to emphasize the importance of technical competence and the need to prevent catastrophes such as environmental issues, healthcare crises, and cybersecurity threats.

The Global Race Between Catastrophe and Technical Competence:
Kamen believes the world is facing a critical race between catastrophe and technical competence. He emphasizes the urgency of solving global problems through better technical solutions.

The Role of FIRST and FIRST Global in Addressing Global Challenges:
Kamen sees FIRST and FIRST Global as platforms for nurturing the next generation of problem solvers and innovators. These organizations aim to equip kids with valuable skill sets to tackle global issues.

Kamen’s Approach to Leadership and Organization:
Kamen focuses on providing a clear vision and goal while trusting capable individuals to handle the details and implementation. He emphasizes the importance of having a shared understanding of the mission and objectives.

Vision for FIRST Global’s Future:
Kamen envisions FIRST Global transitioning from relying on limited resources to attracting substantial funding and support. He aims to elevate FIRST Global to a scale that attracts major organizations and government agencies as sponsors.

FIRST Global’s Potential Impact:
Kamen believes that FIRST Global can inspire and engage kids worldwide, leading to a virtuous cycle of growth and impact. He envisions FIRST Global becoming a global platform for technical education and innovation, accessible to every child.

Vision for FIRST Global:
Kamen envisions FIRST Global becoming a proof of concept for visionary business and political leaders worldwide, attracting support and branding opportunities. He aims to make FIRST Global the go-to program for organizations committed to providing education to every child in the world.

Advice for Students Pursuing STEM Careers:
Kamen emphasizes that STEM fields are rapidly changing, so students should focus on learning the basics that don’t change. He recommends studying math, physics, and other fundamental subjects to gain a deep understanding of the underlying principles. This foundational knowledge will enable students to adapt and learn new technologies throughout their careers.

Importance of Basic Knowledge:
Kamen stresses that the laws of physics, such as Newton’s laws and Maxwell’s equations, remain constant and reliable. He advises students to trust mother nature and rely on these basic principles, which will serve as a solid foundation for understanding and applying new technologies.

Adaptability and Lifelong Learning:
Kamen encourages students to have a long-term perspective on their careers in tech and to be prepared for continuous learning. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong grounding in the fundamentals, which will allow them to adapt to changing technologies and engineering fields. By focusing on the basics, students can pick up new technologies more easily and apply them effectively in their work.