What is first

“To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.” – Dean Kamen, Founder

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is a non profit purposed towards advancing STEM education. Promoting learning, interest, and skill-building beyond the classroom.

FIRST focuses on a lasting, meaningful, impact on all students, mentors, teachers, and volunteers across all demographic groups. 

FIRST uses the phrase "Gracious Professionalism” coined by Woodie Flowers to describe being kind and respecting and valuing others, even in the heat of competition.

Learn more:

firstinspires.org

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FLL

"FIRST Lego League is a fun, hands on, way to introduce STEM to children ages 4-16. It's a great way to start critical thinking, building, coding, and showing teamwork can be fun."

Image: https://www.montana.edu/first/FLLtournament.html

FTC

"It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format."

Ralph and Luke in lab

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FRC

"We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High-school student participants call it 'the hardest fun you’ll ever have.'
Under strict rules, limited time and resources, 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. "

image: https://firstroboticsbc.org/