About FIRST

FIRST “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” was founded about twenty years ago in New Hampshire by Dean Kamen. Its FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a program in which teams of high schoolers are given six weeks to design, build, and program a robot to play in an annual FIRST game. The students are responsible for all aspects of robot construction and strategy, as well as team fundraising; FRC is a competitive sport, educational opportunity, life experience, and lots of fun.

Over 85,000 volunteers and 19,200 teams make FRC happen. Students who participate in FIRST are significantly more likely to major in engineering or science and technology. They are also more likely to earn a post-graduate degree and to volunteer in their communities. There is even a FIRST scholarship program.