FIRST

ABOUT FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a fun and challenging robotics program for all ages. it involves a sport-like competition in which teams design and create robots to perform tasks according to an annual challenge. FIRST provides four different challenges for various age groups.

FIRST Lego League Junior (FLL Jr.) gives early elementary school students (Grades K-4) a chance to get involved with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) an gain an exposure to STEM while promoting teamwork and curiosity for young students.

FIRST Lego League (FLL) encourages teams of upper elementary school and middle school students (Grades 4-8) to research a real-world problem and design and create a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS to complete a challenge on a table-top playing field. FLL welcome students of all skill levels, technical, and non-technical to take a stab at solving a real-world problem in a fun and competitive environment.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) challenges middle and high school students (Grades 7-12) to design, build, program and run a robot in a head-to-head competition. 4 teams compete in a playing field at a time with two teams per alliance. Each team aims to score as many points for their alliance in the Autonomous (self-operated) and Driver Controlled periods of the three minute match. FTC promotes sportsmanship, community outreach, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism.

FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) is the "Ultimate Sport for the Mind" as it challenges high school students (Grades 9-12) to design, build, and compete. The current challenge is POWERPLAY, where teams attempt to score as many points by dropping cones or beacons on poles at different heights. In an intense six-week time limit, teams design and build industrial-sized robots to compete in a fun and rigorous challenge the entire year.