FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. Much of FIRST involves students in teams building robots to compete in competitions with other teams. Gracious professionalism is also a major pillar of FIRST, which involves players showing respect and camaraderie to each other. FIRST is also divided into 4 different programs of increasing complexity for students to compete in: FIRST LEGO League Jr. (FLL Jr.), FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).
FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10 while exciting them through a brand they know and love − LEGO®. Guided by adult coaches and FIRST® Core Values, students build models using LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 and create Show Me posters to present what they learned. The program focuses on building interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a real-world challenge – to be solved by research, critical thinking, and imagination.
FIRST LEGO League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. The program is built around theme-based Challenges to engage children ages 9 to 16 in research, problem solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST® Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce.
FIRST Tech Challenge is a program in which teams of students of grades 7-12 are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team. The program uses a robot kit that is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Overall, teams design and build robots, raise funds, create and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are eligible to apply for $80M+ in college scholarships. Each season then concludes with regional championship events and an exciting FIRST Championship.
FIRST Robotics Competition has been referred to by many as the “ultimate Sport for the Mind,” and high-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time limit, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. As with FTC, each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.
It is FRC that our team – Team 484, Roboforce – has participated in nearly 20 years.
Some Stats
- Over 615,000 students are in FIRST, along with over 250,000 volunteers make up 72,000 teams with over 51,000 robots
- FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) has 3,790 teams, 94,750 students, and 56 regional events.
- FIRST students are 3 times more likely to major in engineering
- People who participate in FIRST are more than twice as likely to go into science or engineering
- Over $80 million in college scholarships
FIRST’s Mission
FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.