The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, multitnational competition that challenges teams, professionals, and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience—and a lot of fun. In 2008, the competition will reach Over 150,000 young people of all ages in 38 countries 42 regional events. Our teams came from Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, Mexico, the U.K., and almost every U.S. state. The competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, and are the result of lots of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, and deadlines. Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals provide scholarships to our participants. Involved engineers rediscover many of the reasons they chose engineering as a profession, and the companies they work for contribute to the community while they prepare and create their future workforce. The competition shows students that the technological fields hold many opportunities and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention are exciting and interesting.

“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, FIRST Founder

FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders.  FIRST allows students to discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology while building self-confidence and learning life skills such as communication, team building, and leadership.  This real world experience combines the excitement of a sporting event with science and technology to create a varsity sport for the mind.  FIRST is based in Manchester, New Hampshire and is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit charity.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) – High School ages
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) – High School ages
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) – Ages 9-14
Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL) – Ages 6-9

Many colleges and universities, professional associations, and corporations offer college scholarships to high school students on FIRST teams. This is official recognition of the knowledge and technical and life skills these students have gained from participating in a FIRST competition. FIRST scholarships enable students to pursue majors and careers in engineering, computer science, science, math, design, aeronautics, and many other fields. In 2009, the FIRST Scholarship Program provides