About FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) began in 1989 when Dean Kamen established this non-profit organization that promotes math, science and technology to young people. He planned to team up high school students with role models from the industry to build robots that compete in a sporting-event-like competition. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience...and a lot of fun!

Vision

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes." -Dean Kamen, Founder

What is FLL?

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a robotics program for kids ages 9-14 (or 16 if the team is stationed outside Canada or the U.S. ) meant to inspire kids to be interested in science and technology. There is also a Junior FIRST LEGO League for kids ages 6-9.

What is FTC?

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is another robotics program for high school students. It offers all the challenges of the classic competition but with a more affordable tool kit.

What is FRC?

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is the classic competition for high school students. It challenges them and their team to create a robot in order to perform a certain task designed by the founders and their team of engineers and other professionals. This must be done in a six-week build period.

Gracious Professionalism

Gracious Professionalism is a term coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers. It is used to describe people that treat each other with respect and encourage others with their work. FIRST is not just about playing a game. It's about promoting good sportsmanship through friendly competition, even if it does get a little crazy sometimes. For more information about FIRST and Gracious Professionalism, visit http://www.usfirst.com/