Inspiring Future STEM Professionals — One Robot at a Time

Providing STEM education opportunities is vital as research shows that only 20% of high school graduates are prepared for college-level coursework in STEM majors.  Through a growing international partnership with FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Timken is investing in the future—empowering the next generation of engineers, problem solvers and leaders.

By supporting FIRST teams, mentoring students and expanding opportunities to STEM education, the company is shaping tomorrow’s workforce and fostering a culture of innovation.

Shaping Tomorrow’s STEM Leaders

FIRST offers hands-on learning experiences to students worldwide. Youth participants tackle real-world engineering challenges, from designing and coding robots to managing budgets and presenting to judges. FIRST programs allow students to build crucial STEM skills while developing leadership, collaboration and problem-solving abilities for college and career success. Timken partnered with FIRST on a national level and also supports local FIRST teams through its Next Generation STEM Grant.

One example of the impact of Timken’s Next Generation STEM Grant is the Ohio Valley Robotics Team (FIRST Team #9653) in Steubenville, Ohio. For these students, FIRST is a gateway to STEM education and new opportunities. The team, formed by student Moria Roderique and led by her mother, Monica, unites students from various backgrounds. This unique team dynamic fosters a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the broader goals of FIRST, as explained by team captain Leah Stone.

“FIRST isn’t just about engineering—it’s about creativity, innovation and building the entrepreneur mindset,” explains Leah. “The skills built by participating in FIRST can be used across any job, whether you want to be an engineer, an artist or a business leader. There’s a place for everyone and the program teaches you that you can build something with your own hands. It’s not just about following a textbook; it’s about turning your ideas into reality.”

According to Collin Fultz, senior director, FIRST® Robotics Competition, the program is designed to instill two key qualities in students: resilience and open-ended problem-solving.

“A lot of students’ academic experiences are about finding the one correct answer. But in FIRST, there is no single ‘right’ answer,” says Fultz. “There are 3,700 teams worldwide, and they’ll build 3,700 different solutions to the same challenge. That process of trial, error and persistence teaches them grit—how to fail, adapt and keep going.”

“The biggest win is watching students gain confidence, push past their limits and discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.”

Angela Fox
Product and marketing manager for Cone Drive by Timken

A Growing Partnership

Timken’s commitment to FIRST goes beyond financial support. Employees mentor students, guiding them through complex engineering challenges and providing insights into real-world STEM careers. Timken’s FIRST sponsorship is global, strengthening its investment in the future STEM workforce.

“Timken’s support is making FIRST more available to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity,” says Mark Giordono, vice president development at FIRST. “More than 81% of alumni go on to major in STEM fields, and thanks to partners like Timken, we’re able to prepare even more young people for the world of tomorrow.”

Engineering the Future

Investing in FIRST is about securing the future of innovation. FIRST alumni gain the skills and mindset needed to tackle the world’s toughest challenges, whether as engineers, developers or entrepreneurs.

Angela Fox, product and marketing manager for Cone Drive by Timken, has experienced mentoring her local Michigan FIRST chapter, and seeing students recognize their own potential.

“The competition is exciting,” Fox says, “but the biggest win is watching students gain confidence, push past their limits, and discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.”

With every student who builds a robot, collaborates on a team or learns a new technical skill, Timken’s partnership with FIRST is driving impact — one future innovator at a time.

Timken collaborates with organizations like NASA, the Great Lakes Science and others along with the new international FIRST partnership to provide students with more hands-on exposure to STEM fields. Read more.

Last Updated: 2025/04/16

Published: 2025/04/8