About
FIRST® Robotics
The World's Leading Youth-Serving Nonprofit Advancing STEAM Education
Mission, Purpose & Values
FIRST® is More Than Robots®
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive in interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
These programs, based on hands-on learning, expose students to engineering and programming in a fascinating, inclusive and creative learning environment, where they work collaboratively to solve an annual robotics challenge, combining excitement, creativity and cultivating valuable skills in the real world, including self-confidence, communication, teamwork, Decision making, experience in planning and managing resources, leadership skills and more.
FIRST® Vision
To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.
FIRST® Mission
The mission of FIRST 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.
FIRST® Core Values
FIRST's core values emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning and community involvement and are part of our commitment to fostering and maintaining a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.
We express FIRST's philosophy of gracious professionalism, Gracious Professionalism®, and competitive cooperation, Coopertition®, through our core values.
Discovery
We explore new skills and ideas.
Innovation
We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
Impact
We apply what we learn to improve our world.
Inclusion
We respect each other and embrace our differences.
Team Work
We are stronger when we work together as a team.
Excitement!
We enjoy and celebrate what we do
FIRST ® , Cooperation ® , and Gracious Professionalism ® are trademarks of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology ( FIRST ).
Gracious Professionalism®
Gracious Professionalism, introduced by Dr. Woodie Flowers and integral to FIRST's ethos, advocates for high-quality work, values others, and respects individuals and the community. It encourages spirited competition with mutual benefit, highlighting respectful and empathetic interactions while avoiding negativity.
Coopertition®
Coopertition cultivates innovation by advocating unwavering kindness and respect amid fierce competition. In FIRST, Coopertition entails teams assisting and collaborating with one another, embracing a culture of learning from teammates, teaching others, working with mentors, and both managing and being managed. It encapsulates the essence of competing while actively supporting and empowering others whenever opportunities arise.
FIRST Founder, American engineer and inventor
Dean Kamen
To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated andwhere young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.
FIRST is More Than Robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future.