First in Manitoba

1. FIRST Program for Manitoba
Children
Prepared by: Kamala Kodihally Nanjundeshaiah
Email: kamala.kodi@gmail.com

2. What is FIRST?
FIRST ® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded
in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and
technology. It’s not-for-profit STEM engagement program for kids worldwide.
Mission:
The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology
leaders and innovators, 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.
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."
https://www.firstinspires.org

3. FIRST for Whom?
First is for all age kids. It’s for K-12 students.
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE JR (Grades K–4):
Captures young curiosity by exploring real-world scientific challenges, learning
teamwork, and working with motorized LEGO® elements
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (grades 4–7):
Elementary and middle school-aged students research a real-world engineering
challenge, develop a solution, program and compete with LEGO-based robots of
their own design
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (Grades 7-12):
Teams of middle and high school-aged students are challenged to design, build,
and program a robot to play a floor game against other teams creations
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION (grades 9-12):
High school-aged teams compete head to head on a special playing field with
robots they have designed, built, and programmed

4. Why FIRST?
Based on continuously measure and data driven evaluation, following
summarizes the FIRST program impact.
 FIRST League trains kids to think like innovators and entrepreneurs
 FIRST participants are significantly likely to show gains in interest (2X) in
STEM
 87% of participants plan to take more challenging math and science course
 STEM knowledge continues to grow the longer you stay; the impact on girls
are significant
 2.6Xmore likely to in an Engineering course; 75% of FIRST Alumni are in
STEM field as a student or professional
 Gains in skills;
 Communication
 Conflict Resolution
 Time Management
 Problem Solving

5. Who is Participating?
FIRST is a global innovation program, teams from around 78 countries
participated.
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/countries
Regions:
 Central & South America
 Europe
 Asia-Pacific
 Africa & Middle East
 North America
 USA
 Mexico
 Canada
 As of now only 6 teams participated from Manitoba in 2017 (1–Winnipeg & 5–Selkirk)
https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-
search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLLJR,FLL,FTC,FRC&year=2017&country=Canada
&stateprov=MB

6. What to Do?
Example: Every year FIRST LEGO League introduces a scientific and real-world
challenge for teams to focus and research on. Topic will be common to all the
participants.
It consists of following major parts:
1. Robot Game: The robotics part of the competition involves designing and
programming robots to complete tasks.
2. Project: The students does research, field trips and work out solutions on
the topic to present.
3. Core Values: Along their discovery journey, they develop critical
thinking and team-building skills.
Teams meet for tournament(s) to share their knowledge, compare ideas, and
competition at regional, national and international level.

7. What does every team need?
Team can be formed from school or within community.
Example of FIRST LEGO League:
 2 or more adult coaches willing and motivated to guide the team through the
discovery and competition season
 Up to 10 students (optimal is 5-6 students) willing to put in time and do any
job the team needs to succeed
 A suitable meeting place, either public or private, that can accommodate a
4 x 8-foot playing field table and has internet access
 A standard Challenge Set and a common set of rules issued by FIRST and LEGO
 A paid team registration, official team number and a kit (procured from
FIRST)
 The desire to learn, explore, strategize, build comradery, share ideas and
talents, make new friends, be accepted and HAVE FUN!

8. How much it Cost?
This is the approximate cost in US dollar per team:
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE JR (Grades K–4):
New team $300 (which includes a LEGO WeDo set)
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (grades 4–7):
New team $1100 for team registration (which includes the Challenge Set and a robot kit of
parts)
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (Grades 7-12):
New team a season costs including: team registration, a robot kit of parts and event
registration $2,500
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION (grades 9-12):
New team annual fees for team registration, a robot kit of parts and event participation
are $5,000 - $6,000
 Additional costs for travel, food, team shirts and other optional items will vary
 Veteran teams will pay less since the robot set can be used year after year

9. Why 2018-19 Program is Important!
2018-19 FIRST program is all the more important because, it’s about SPACE!
SPACE is the FUTURE. It’s expected that kids who is in school now may be part of
first Mars Mission. So, it’s important to create opportunity for them to research
and learn about it!
Gather your Squad and register to:
Blast off with FIRST Launch 2019
http://info.firstinspires.org/first-launch-2019?utm_source=first-
inspires&utm_medium=headline&utm_campaign=program-registration-
019&hsCtaTracking=e7b434aa-1fea-442f-98d7-12636e6d44fe%7Cc9a306ea-9dd1-49f9-8a59-
d6f2b3074152
Registration may be open till end of Jul/ Aug, 2018 (Please check website for correct
date).

10. Thank you!
Learn more at: https://www.firstinspires.org