ABOUT THE FIRST
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a cultural revolution. Its purpose is to build a world where science and technology are celebrated with enthusiasm, inspiring young people to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. More than just robotics, we seek to awaken the creative potential of each student, transforming the way they see the future and their role in society.
FLL
The FIRST Global Challenge is an Olympic-style international robotics competition that takes place in a different country each year. It invites each nation to send a team to build and program a robot to compete. Teams work together to complete tasks in a game centered around one of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
FIRST® LEGO League introduces STEM to children aged 4 to 16 through fun and exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a global, guided robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together.
FIRST® Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers between the ages of 12 and 18. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams, using a reusable platform that can be programmed using a variety of Java-based programming levels.
FGC
The FIRST Global Challenge is an Olympic-style international robotics competition that takes place in a different country each year. It invites each nation to send a team to build and program a robot to compete. Teams work together to complete tasks in a game centered around one of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
CATEGORIES
FIRST has four different programs: FLL, FTC, FGC, and FRC. FIRST programs are project-based, introducing students to engineering and programming in engaging, inclusive, and creative learning environments, where students work collaboratively to solve themed robotics challenges each year.
This website will mainly guide you through the FRC program, but you can learn more about the following competitions:
FIRST® LEGO League introduces STEM to children aged 4 to 16 through fun and exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a global, guided robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together.
FTC
FLL
FIRST® Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers between the ages of 12 and 18. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams, using a reusable platform that can be programmed using a variety of Java-based programming levels.
FGC
The FIRST Global Challenge is an Olympic-style international robotics competition that takes place in a different country each year. It invites each nation to send a team to build and program a robot to compete. Teams work together to complete tasks in a game centered around one of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
The awards are divided into robotics and outreach categories and cover different areas of team achievement. Therefore, it is important that your team maintains excellence in all its divisions.
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION | FRC
Combining the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. We call FRC the ultimate sport for the mind. Participating high school students call it “the hardest fun you'll ever have.” FIRST® Robotics Competition teams design, program, and build an industrial robot from a standard kit and a common set of rules to play in a head-to-head themed challenge. Teams also create a brand, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community.
Under strict rules, limited time, and resources, student teams are challenged to raise funds, create a “brand” for their team, hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-sized robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It's the closest a student can get to real-world engineering. Professional volunteer mentors dedicate their time and talent to coach each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.
What's really cool about FRC is that all skill levels are welcome and needed, whether technical or non-technical. The FIRST Robotics Competition offers high school students and their adult mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem.
CORE VALUES
FIRST's Core Values are extremely fundamental to FIRST and are unique to its programs. They emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement, and are part of our commitment to promoting, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a community of empathy and respect.
Our community expresses the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through the FIRST Core Values.
DISCOVERY
We explore new skills and ideas.
INNOVATION
We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
IMPACT
We apply what we learn to improve our world.
INCLUSION
We apply what we learn to improve our world.
ENTERTAINMENT
We love and celebrate what we do!
TEAMWORK
We are stronger when we work together.
GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM
Gracious Professionalism is part of FIRST's values. It is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
Through Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain coexist. Participants compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy.
There is no small talk or false platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably combined.
The term was coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers, (1943 - 2019) Chairman Emeritus of the Executive Advisory Board and Distinguished Advisor.