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About FIRST
What is F.I.R.S.T.?
FIRST, Overview:
FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to encourage and inspire high school students in science and technology. In twenty short years, FIRST has increased its influence and reaches students in kindergarten through high school (and beyond via mentor participation) in a variety of programs.
Students involved in the various aspects of FIRST (Junior LEGO League, LEGO League, FTC, FRC), not only augment their science and technology skills, but also develop valuable life skills such as communication with their peers, adults, the immediate and wider community, organizations and various persons in levels of authority; team work; time management; and problem solving. These students, confident in their specialized knowledge, enroll in higher education in the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. As the FIRST website proclaims: “It’s a competitive sport. It’s a life experience. It’s opportunity. It’s community. It’s amazing.”
Impact of FIRST Participation:
According to a recent Brandeis University study (See Article), students with experience in FIRST are:
- More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
- Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year of college.
- Significantly more likely to achieve a post graduate degree.
- More than twice as likely to pursue a career in science and technology.
- Nearly 4 times as likely to pursue a career specifically in engineering.
- More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities.
 For Lancer Robotics, Team 2437, this is certainly true for the two years that it has been involved. The first year one of our students received an engineering scholarship from Pearl Harbor (See Article) to attend the University of Hawaii, and this past year, another received scholarship monies from BAE to attend Boston University. The lead programming team member from last year is attending the University of San Diego, majoring in Computer Science – a direct result of her participation in Lancer Robotics. All three of these students are also currently college mentors for the 2010 team.
Levels of FIRST Competition
There are 4 levels of competitions within FIRST: Jr. FLL, (Jr. FIRST Lego League), FLL (FIRST Lego League), FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge), and FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition).
- Jr. FLL is for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, (ages 6-9). More information can be found at this link.
- FLL is for students in grades 4 through 8, (ages 9-14). More information can be found at this link. Lancer Robotics had two official teams (6th grade and a combined 7/8 grade) participate in this year’s competition, with an additional 3rd grade team also trying their wings out for some of the judges. For more information and pictures about the Lancer Robotics FLL teams, click here.
- FTC is for high school students. More information can be found at this link.
- FRC is also for high school students. More information can be found at this link. This year’s game, Breakaway is described here.
- Lancer Robotics will compete at
- the San Diego Regional Competition, March 4 – 6, (link to website)
- the Hawaii Regional Competition, March 25 – 27, (link to website) and
- the World Championships in Atlanta, April 15 – 17.
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