About FIRST

Working on a FIRST Robot

Working on a FIRST Robot

Working on a FIRST Robot

Working on a FIRST Robot
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FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) sponsors robotics competitions to challenge youth to learn and apply engineering and science skills. Its programs range from the FIRST Lego League (for elementary and middle school students), to FIRST Tech Challenge (for high school students), and FIRST Robotics Competition, also known as FRC (for high school students).

FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, who is most famous for his invention of the Segway scooter. His vision: “To create a world where science and technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.” Kamen, president of DEKA Research and Development, believes that by generating celebrity-level excitement in science and technology, young people will be inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Kamen teamed up with Dr. Woodie Flowers, the Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other professionals, to design and host annual competitions aimed at strengthening students’ interest in science and technology, while also fostering self-confidence, leadership, and life skills.

To create a world where science and technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.
—Dean Kamen

Today FIRST Robotics brings the excitement of a sporting event through robotics competitions to more than 45,000 high-school aged kids organized into more than 1,800 teams in the teams in the U.S., as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Herzegovina, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Each January, these teams gather in auditoriums for the unveiling of the year’s new game challenge. At these Kickoff events, each team picks up an identical kit of parts that serves as a starter kit for the robot they will build over the next six weeks. By the time the six-week “build” ends, each team will hopefully have a finished robot, as these robots are packed up and then picked up and shipped to a regional or district competition venue. The next time teams will see their robot is at one of the 50 regional or district competitions. Teams that emerge victorious at these regional tournaments go on to the FIRST Championship event in Atlanta. Regardless of how well a team does on the field though, participants all take away much more than just their memories. High-school aged students come away with real-world engineering experience and technological literacy, and the idea that scientists and engineers are heroes, too. Learning how to think creatively and cooperatively also is inherent in the program as are inspired minds and an idea of a possible career path. That is what FIRST Robotics is all about.

Visit FIRST online at www.usfirst.org

Some FIRST facts

  • 45,225 high school students
  • 1,809 teams
  • 12 countries: U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Herzegovina, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom
  • 278 Rookie teams
  • 105 Minnesota teams
  • 85,000 volunteers
  • Over 3,000 sponsors
  • One identical Kit of Parts
  • 6 weeks to build
  • 50 Regional/State competitions
  • 1 Championship Competition
  • Hardest Fun Ever

Inputs

Teams of 15 or more high-school students
Professional Engineers, Mentors
Teachers, Parents, Community
Corporate Sponsors
New Game Challenge each year

Outputs

Real-world engineering experience
Technological Literacy
Inspired Minds
Teamwork skills
Career Path

Other Teams in Minnesota