About FIRST Robotics...

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

FIRST was developed by Dean Kamen in 1989. It is an organization that is meant to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering and technology. It includes the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST LEGO league, Junior FIRST Lego League, and FIRST Tech Challenge competitions. FIRST Values! Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition are both phrases coined by FIRST and standards carried out by all involved in FIRST. All teams are founded on the philosophy that they should work together and help each other while in competition. These concepts accentuate valuing others, and both respect for oneself and ones community. Although FIRST allows for keen competition, respect and empathy for others are the main focus of graciously professional individuals. FIRST also stresses learning and growth. It encompasses learning from teammates and mentors, teaching teammates, using management skills and above all, being able to compete and aid others at the same time. The values learned in FIRST help to shape sensitive and caring individuals that can add to society. It is these people that will one day be the leaders and great thinkers of the world.

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. The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals. 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. What is unique about the FRC program?
►It is a sport where the participants play with the pros and learn from them
►Designing and building a robot is a fascinating real-world professional experience
►Competing on stage brings participants as much excitement and adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments
►The game rules are a surprise every year

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a mid-level robotics competition for high-school students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST Robotics Competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. The ultimate goal of FTC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering. In 2005, FIRST and Radio Shack teamed up to present the FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC) demonstration at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, GA. The purpose of the FTC demonstration tournament was to stimulate and explore interest in FIRST Vex competitions. The event was an overwhelming success. FIRST began a full pilot of the program during the 2005-2006 FIRST season. After two years as a pilot program, the FIRST Board of Directors approved FTC as an official FIRST program, changing the name to FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) in 2007. During the first official season, FTC grew to 799 teams and 31 official events, reaching about 8,000 students across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In 2008 a new kit of parts was developed and showcased at the FTC World Championship in Atlanta. The new kit is more powerful and has more options. It also allows for a smoother transition from FLL into FTC by using the same NXT controller FLL teams have been using for a number of seasons.

*Information on this page was obtained from www.usfirst.org*