About FIRST and FIRST Robotics

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational non-profit organization, that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.

FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor and entrepreneur of medical devices and the Segway Transporter. FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition in which teams of high school students sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers, design, assemble, and test a robot capable of performing a specified task in competition with other teams. (For information on this year's task "Breakaway", click here.)

FIRST was founded on partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and government agencies. Many Fortune 500 companies provide funding, in-kind donations and volunteers to support the program.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be.

FIRST redefines winning for these students because they are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.