Founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and
participation in science and technology, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
provides innovative programs that help motivate young people to pursue
education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
Their mission 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.
With a philosophy that emphasizes outreach, and principles
that focus on Gracious Professionalism®
and Coopertition®, students on the team develop a strong set of tools such
as interviewing skills, presentation skills, teamwork, collaboration, how to
write a business plan, how to interact with professionals and more.
Dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind, ™ FRC combines the
excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict
rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 10 students or more are
challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and
build and program a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of
competitors. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get.
Professional Mentors volunteer their time and talents to guide each team.
Students get to experience:
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Working alongside professional engineers
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Building and competing with a robot of their own
design
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Learning and using sophisticated hardware and
software
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Developing design, project management,
programming, teamwork, strategic thinking, and Coopertition® skills
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Opportunity to qualify for scholarships at over
150 colleges/universities
Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3)
not-for-profit public charity 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.
