FIRST is an organization founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen and professor Woodie Flowers. These two visionaries started FIRST in an effort to change culture.

“To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology and celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.” –Dean Kamen

For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology: FIRST is a series of competitive robotics competitions aimed to get young people excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Starting at age six, kids can join Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr. FLL). Children develop interest into science and technology while being guided by adults to tackle real-world problems in a hands-on environment. In FIRST LEGO League (FLL), children aged 9-14 learn to work together to competitively build and program robots made of LEGO components. Teams must create a research presentation with a unique solution addressing the years given problem, developing presentation skills. Throughout the creative process, team members apply math and science they have learned in the classroom to problems that face scientists today. FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is geared to the next age group, ages 14-18. FTC team members program and design robots, apply math and science to real life issues, and work as a team in a competitive atmosphere. $9.7 million in college scholarship is available for FTC students. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) works with the same age group. Students are mentored by adults in STEM fields as they build and program robots to compete on a world level. FRC is a varsity sport for the mind. Almost $14.8 million in scholarships are available for FRC members. FIRST Place is a facility where people can come to discover different types of science and technology in an energetic, hands-on environment. It is located at FIRST Headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.