Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. 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. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.

FIRST Robotics Competition gives high school students and their adult mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem. Teams of students are challenged to design, build, and program robots and compete for awards, while they also create a team identity, raise funds, hone teamwork skills, and advance respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

Beyond gameplay itself, students are rewarded by team achievements – in robot design and programming, demonstrating community outreach, Gracious Professionalism®, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Winning is always secondary to the quality of the overall experience.

Each FIRST Robotics Competition season culminates with district and regional events where qualifying teams compete for awards and a spot at the FIRST Championship. Events offer students an amazing experience as they celebrate their hard work, have fun, make new friendships, and are exposed to ideas and ideologies that will enhance their lives for decades to come. Every participant is eligible to apply for college scholarships!

 

Students develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence while they:

  • collaborate and share ideas,

  • compete with, repair, and upgrade their robots,

  • engage with cutting edge technology,

  • creatively solve problems,

  • interview with volunteer judges, and have fun.

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3)) founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Alumni of FIRST programs gain access to exclusive scholarships, internships, and other opportunities that create connections and open pathways to a wide variety of careers.

Founder Dean Kamen

Founder Dean Kamen

History

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.

FIRST began in 1992 with 28 teams in a New Hampshire high-school gym. For 30 years, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning with the fun and excitement of traditional sports and the inspiration that comes from the community through programs that have a proven impact on learning, interest, and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom.

Leadership 

  • Dean Kamen - President, DEKA Research & Development Corporation

  • Chris Moore - CEO

  • Kelly Ortberg - Co-Chair; Former Chairman & CEO of Rockwell Collins and CEO of Collins Aerospace

  • Donald Bossi - Co-Chair & Secretary; Technology Venture Partners, General Partner

  • Richard L. Clemmer - Co-Chair; Former Chief Executive Officer & President, NXP Semiconductors

2020 FIRST Volunteers & Sponsors

  • 320,000+ volunteer roles filled

  • FIRST sponsors include more than 200 of the Fortune 500 companies

Programs 

  • 2020 FIRST® Robotics Competition: Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

    • 97,850 students

    • 3,914 individual teams

  • FIRST® Tech Challenge: Grades 7-12

  • FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge: Grades 4-8

  • FIRST® LEGO® League Explore: Grades 2-4

  • FIRST® LEGO® League Explore & Discover: Grades PreK-1

2020 FIRST Scholarship Program

  • Over $80 million in college, university, and technical program scholarships

  • 3,000 individual scholarship opportunities

  • 200+ scholarship providers

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