What is FIRST?

What is FIRST exactly?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH FIRST designs accessible and innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of 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.

FRC teams world-wide. The teams have six weeks to design, build and test a robot that they will then use to compete with and against other teams in a variety of events.



What is FRC?

FRC is the FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST is an acronym: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. FIRST is a program that allows kids and teens the opportunity to explore science, engineering and technology in a fun and competitive environment. FRC, specifically, is for teens aged 13-18. The FIRST Robotics Competition requires each team to design and build a unique robot under certain engineering constraints for the competition. Each yearly competition has it’s own theme and rules, requiring a new strategy each year. FRC teams must design, build, test and drive their robots in preparation for the competition.

During this time, the students learn about design, operating machinery, programming and 3-D modeling, as well as public speaking, teamwork, community outreach, and safety. The students design and build the robot themselves with mentor guidance, making improvements as they go.

FIRST has several different programs for different age groups. There’s FLL (for grades 4-8) the FIRST Lego League, building robots out of Lego that compete multiple tasks, and FTC (for grades 7-12) the FIRST Tech Challenge. For more information, go to the FIRST website.

FIRST believes in ‘coopertition’, or ‘cooperative competition’. While teams do compete against each other to win, it’s all in fun and we are all willing to help out other teams so we compete at our best.