FIRST Robotics Program

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, FIRST, is an international non-profit organization founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen.  Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate  for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST.

His 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.

 

Click here to view FIRST Facts

 

FIRST by the Numbers:

 

• 400,000+ students

• 44,000+ teams

• 37,000+ robots

• 100,000+ mentors/adult supporters

• 100,000+ event volunteers

 

FIRST is made up of four programs:

 

FIRST Robotics Competition- FRC   

Robots are built in 6 weeks from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST

– 78,000+ high school students (grades 9-12)

– 3,100+ teams from 12 countries

– FIRST Robotics Competition Championship at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis,        Missouri, April 23-26

FIRST Tech Challenge- FTC 

Smaller robots are built using a modular robotics platform

-51,000+ high school students (grades 9-12)

-5,100+ teams

–FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, April 23-26

FIRST LEGO League

Robots are built using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies

-29,000+ teams

-233,000+ children ages 9-16 (ages 9-14 in North America)

-From 80+ countries

–FIRST LEGO League World Festival at the FIRST championship in St. Louis, Missouri April 23-26

Junior FIRST LEGO League

Kids design and construct a model using LEGO bricks and moving parts and present their research journey on a poster

– 6,800+ teams

– 40,000+ children, ages 6 to 9