FIRST Robotics Program
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, FIRST, is an international non-profit organization founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen. Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST.
His mission is 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.
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FIRST by the Numbers:
293,000+ students 26,800+ teams 24,000+ robots
51,000 mentors/adult supporters 50,000 event volunteers
FIRST is made up of four programs:
FIRST Robotics Competition- FRC 
Robots are built in 6 weeks from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST
- 58,000+ high school students (grades 9-12)
- 2,300+ teams from 12 countries
- FIRST Robotics Competition Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, April 25-28, 2012
FIRST Tech Challenge- FTC 
Smaller robots are built using a modular robotics platform
-21,000 high school students (grades 9-12)
-2,100 teams
-100+ Qualifying and Championship Tournaments
-FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, April 25-28
FIRST LEGO League
Robots are built using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies
-19,800 teams
-198,000 children ages 9-16 (ages 9-14 in North America)
-From 50+ countries
-560 Qualifying Tournaments; 117 Championship Tournaments; 3 Open Championships
-FIRST LEGO League World Festival at the FIRST championship in St. Louis, Missouri April 25-28
Junior FIRST LEGO League
Kids design and construct a model using LEGO bricks and moving parts and present their research journey on a poster
-2,600 teams
-15,600 children, ages 6 to 9
-80+ Jr.FLL Expos
