About FIRST

FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

"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."

-FIRST Founder, Dean Kamen

 

FIRST is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science, technology, and engineering to the youth of today through annual robotics competitions. Founded by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST takes the future into perspective by targeting the present. FIRST hosts a number of technological competitions targeted for all ages, from elementary to high school.  Every year, students work together to create machines ranging from small LegoTM systems to large, sophisticated robots created from raw materials.  FIRST provides a thrilling and exciting twist on the world of science and technology, inspiring children to pursue interests in these important ever-growing fields.

Gracious Professionalism

The FIRST community follows the philosophy of Gracious Professionalism, first coined by co-founder Woodie Flowers. There is no one true definition of Gracious Professionalism; it is an individual experience which each student learns and feels as he/she progresses through FIRST.  Gracious Professionalism can mean helping a team even if you may be competing against them in the next round, helping to teach a friend about safety, or even just having a great time at the competition.  Gracious Professionalism is what makes FIRST so unique; it teaches today's young people how to live and look at life - how to make the world a better place through individual action.

Impact

Within the last decade, FIRST has sprung from an unknown organization to a thriving community of students, parents, mentors, and engineers.  Hundreds of thousands of students have felt FIRST's influence over these years, with many of them choosing to pursue careers in engineering and technology.  When compared with other students, FIRST participants are much more likely to pursue higher education and become more active members of their communities.  FIRST gives students the opportunity to become upstanding citizens who will be the leaders of tomorrow. 

 

Learn More about FIRST!

FIRST Official Website

Gracious Professionalism: The FIRST Mantra

FIRST's Impact

FIRST Robotics Competition - High School Students

FIRST Tech Challenge - High School Students

FIRST Lego League - Elementary and Junior High School Students
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