FIRST Robotics

FIRST

FIRST, a non-profit organization based in Manchester, NH., was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.

The Vision

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

The Mission

"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 includes the following programs

FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is described by FIRST as "the varsity sport for the mind." Beginning on kickoff day in early January, when the game for the season is announced, teams of high school students, with guidance from professional engineers and other mentors, have 6 weeks to design, fabricate, build, and program a 120-pound robot. In March and early April, teams compete at regional events, and the Championship event is held in mid-April. There are over 2000 FRC teams from around the world, and there are currently 25 teams in SC. The FRC game for 2011, LOGO MOTION, is a very exciting game which involves manipulating innertubes in the shape of red triangles, white circles, and blue squares, and trying to hang them on a scoring grid to form the FIRST logo. The new game also includes a pole climbing challenge for a miniature robot built using the FIRST Tech Challenge platform.

Click here to go to our page on FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Teams in South Carolina.

Here are some unofficial but useful internet resources related to the FRC competition:

Be sure to check out the FRC Director's Blog as well.

FIRST Tech Challange

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), formerly FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC), is a more accessible program for teams of up to 10 high school students. The teams design, build, and program an 18"x18"x18" robot using a modular system that can be reused from year to year. The FTC game for each year is announced in September, and regional events are held from November through March with the World Championship taking place in mid-April. There are approximately 1500 FTC teams. The FTC game for 2010/2011 is called GET OVER IT! It involves driving over obstacles in order to dispense batons which are then scored in rolling or stationary goals.

FIRST LEGO League

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is the FIRST robotics program for ages 9-14. Each year, teams of up to 10 students use the LEGO MINDSTORMS platform to design, build, and program a robot for a set of challenges based on a timely theme. The FLL challenge for each year is announced in September, and regional events are held from November through February with the World Championship taking place in mid-April. There are about 17,000 FLL teams worldwide. The FLL challenge for 2010/2011 is called Body Forward and involves robotic missions that explore biomedical engineering.

Junior FIRST LEGO League

Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL) is FIRST robotics program for ages 6-9. Teams of no more than 6 students design and construct a model using LEGO elements. The challenge is announced in September, and events are held from November to June.

FIRST Language

Gracious Professionalism - It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
Coopertition™ - the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.
STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

FIRST has a very long list of corporate and university sponsors who contribute

Items for the Kit of Parts - including some terrific software.
Money and personnel to conduct the competitions.
More than $12 million in college scholarships.