What is FIRST?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization that engages students in exciting, mentor-guided robotics programs that build skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), along with invaluable life lessons in teamwork, communication, and innovation.

Visit the official FIRST website: firstinspires.org

The Five Levels of FIRST

FIRST offers five age-specific programs, each designed to inspire curiosity, problem-solving, and technical skill:

FIRST LEGO League Discover

Grades PreK–1

• A classroom-based STEM program where children explore scientific concepts through play.

• Students use LEGO® DUPLO® bricks to build simple models and express ideas.

• Focuses on hands-on exploration, storytelling, and teamwork.

• Emphasizes discovery and foundational STEM literacy.

---

 FIRST LEGO League Explore

Grades 2–4

• Teams of up to six students learn about real-world challenges.

• They build LEGO models with motors and sensors, then present their ideas with a Show Me Poster.

• Encourages creativity, basic engineering understanding, and early coding skills using LEGO Education SPIKE™ or WeDo 2.0.

• Great for introducing young students to core values like inclusion, innovation, and cooperation.

---

 FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Grades 4–8

• Students form teams of up to 10 to tackle a real-world theme-based challenge.

• Teams:

  • Conduct research and propose a unique Innovation Project.

  • Design, build, and program a LEGO robot to complete missions on a themed field.

  • Present their work to a panel of judges.

• Builds real-world skills in robotics, presentation, teamwork, and research.

---

 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

Grades 7–12

• Teams design, build, and program robots using REV Robotics and Java programming.

• Robots are built with metal parts and sensors, then controlled autonomously and by drivers in alliance-based matches.

• The season includes:

  • A themed challenge that changes yearly.

  • Opportunities for judged awards like Inspire, Design, Connect, and Think.

  • Teams document progress in an engineering portfolio, conduct outreach, and practice gracious professionalism.

• Ideal for students ready to explore more advanced robotics, team leadership, and real-world problem solving.

---

 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

Grades 9–12

• A large-scale robotics competition often compared to varsity sports.

• Teams of 20–100 students design and build 120+ pound robots in just 6–8 weeks.

• Robots compete in a unique, high-energy field game each year.

• FRC emphasizes:

  • Advanced hardware and software integration

  • Sponsorships and fundraising

  • Team branding and outreach

• Students gain experience similar to real-world engineering projects with support from industry mentors.

FIRST in Kirtland

Here in the Kirtland School District, we proudly offer:

• FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

• FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

We currently do not offer FIRST LEGO League Discover, FIRST LEGO League Explore, or FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). However, students interested in those programs can explore regional options through the FIRST team search tool.

Find a Team Near You

Want to discover what teams are in your area or explore opportunities to get involved?

Use the official FIRST team search page here: Find Teams Near You – FIRST Team and Event Search

Why Join FIRST?

• Learn real-world skills in programming, engineering, design, communication, and teamwork.

• Connect with mentors and professionals in STEM fields.

• Compete in exciting tournaments with teams from around the world.

• Earn college scholarships – over $80 million available annually to FIRST participants.

• Join a global community that celebrates creativity, perseverance, and innovation.

Interested in learning more or joining our FTC team? Contact us or come visit one of our events!