FIRST is exciting …
FIRST is AMAZING.
FIRST is a lifetime experience …
Some basics about FIRST:
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. It was started in 1989 by Dean Kamen, you know, that guy who invented the Segway, and those really cool soda fountain machines you find at Fuddruckers, and I can’t forget to mention the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics. This is just to name a few. Dean Kamen started FIRST to help kids get interested in science, technology, and engineering. This guy is pretty amazing.
FIRST MISSION
“Our 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.”
There are 4 levels of FIRST.
Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) Grades K-3 (ages 6-9)
This is where it all starts. If your kids like to play with LEGO’s they would probably really enjoy Jr.FLL. It feeds into their curiosity and gives them hands on fun.
FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14; 9-16 outside North America)
FLL takes it a little further than Jr.FLL. Kids design, build and program robots using LEGO Mindstorms technology.
FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) Grades 7-12
If you remember erector sets, this is similar. Students design, build and program robots using a robot kit. Students compete using a sports model. About $13 million is offered in college scholarships for FTC.
FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
This is where it gets to be a lot of fun. FIRST calls FRC the varsity Sport for the Mind. The kids practically run a business. They create a brand for the team, they are in charge of a budget, learn from professional engineers, this is all hands on. They build 100+ lb robots in 6 weeks to compete. FIRST offers over $20 million of college scholarships for FRC. These kids deserve every penny. If you ever get a chance to see a FRC competition, I highly suggest you go! You will never be the same.
If you would like to learn more about FIRST please visit firstinspires.org.