About FIRST
Founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international non-profit organization that inspires young students by providing them with an inside look on modern-day engineering and technology. Multiple FIRST programs allow children of ages K-12 to participate in different competitions designed to spark interest in STEM. In addition to learning about technology, students gain other skills used in all careers, such as teamwork, leadership, and communication.
FIRST promotes two main philosophies to support their vision of changing our culture: Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®. Through Gracious Professionalism®, teams learn how to maintain a competitive spirit whilst still showing respect and kindness. With Coopertition®, students learn how to work as a team and how to support other teams although they are opponents. Participants in FIRST programs apply these philosophies to multiple situations throughout their whole life to help them achieve success and a better world.
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Through the FRC program, which is what our team participates in, FIRST focuses on high school students by holding annual competitions where students aim to accomplish certain actions given at a kick-off event in January. Teams are provided with a robot parts kit, a budget limit, and six weeks to build a fully functional robot with their mentors and peers. At the competition, we form different alliances every round with two other robots and compete with the opposing alliance. During rounds, these robots can score points by achieving different tasks, such as scoring a ball, balancing on bars, or placing tubes onto racks. The winning alliance and the winners of certain awards are then allowed to go to the FIRST Championship.
Other FIRST Programs:
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC): Similar to FRC, FTC revolves around creating a robot that accomplishes different tasks given at their kick-off event in September. Instead of a team comprised of high school students, FTC allows anyone from grades 7-12 to join. FTC teams are also limited to fifteen students and are provided with a lower budget cap than FRC teams, but a much longer period to build their robots. These conditions allow students to be introduced to building real robots without the pressure of a deadline.
FIRST Lego League (FLL): Through its two divisions, Explore (ages 6-10), and Challenge (ages 9-16), FLL focuses on engaging younger students by designing, building, and programming with different types of LEGO bricks and sets. With these interactive projects and familiar materials, kids are introduced to the STEM world and are inspired to continue learning about robotics while also building teamwork and cooperation skills.
