This document provides information about FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes robotics competitions to inspire young people's interest and participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It describes several programs for participants from ages 6 to 18, including Lego robotics challenges and varsity-level robotics competitions. Studies have found the programs significantly increase rates of college attendance and degrees in STEM fields for participants compared to their peers. The organization has grown to include over 2,700 teams annually and engages over 68,000 students globally.

1. (501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization)
Igniting young minds.
Teaching life skills.
Nurturing passions for science and technology.
®
Practicing “Gracious Professionalism®.”
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2.  It’s a competitive sport.
 It’s a life experience.
 It’s opportunity.
 It’s community.
 It’s amazing.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3. FIRST learning…
… never stops building upon itself, starting at age 6 and continuing through middle and high-school levels up to age 18. Young people
can join at any level. Participants master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and technology through innovative projects
and robotics competitions, while gaining valuable career and life skills.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. ✔ Introduction to science and technology
✔ Design and build challenge-related model
using LEGO® components
✔ Create a Show Me poster and practice
presentation skills
✔ Explore challenges facing today’s scientists
✔ Discover real-world math and science
✔ Engage in team activities guided by
Jr.FLL Core Values
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5. ✔ Create innovative solutions to challenges facing
today’s scientists
✔ Strategize, design, build, program and test an
autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®
technology
✔ Apply real-world math and science concepts
✔ Develop career and life skills
✔ Become involved in their local and global community
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

6. ✔ Head-to-head competition using sports model
✔ Teams design, build, program robots based on
sound engineering principles
✔ Platform is reusable from year-to-year
✔ Develop strategic problem-solving, organization,
and team-building skills
✔ Awards for competition, community outreach,
design
✔ Qualify for >$13 million in scholarships
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

7. ✔ Varsity Sport for the Mind™
✔ Strict rules, limited resources, time limits
✔ Students mentored by professional engineers
✔ Teams learn, use sophisticated hardware and
software
✔ Build and compete with robots of their own design
✔ Qualify for >$19 million in scholarships
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

8. Who is FIRST For?
 For students (ages 6-18):
the hardest fun you’ll ever have.
 For Mentors, Coaches, Volunteers:
the most rewarding adventure
you’ll ever undertake.
 For Sponsors:
the most enlightened investment
you could ever make.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

9. FIRST Scholarships
More than $19 million in scholarship opportunities from over 150
providers, including:
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

10. How FRC Works
“…It’s like life. You never have enough information.
You never have enough time. The kit of materials
is what you have in the warehouse. There are
always competing things and you must have a
strategy. We’ve created a microcosm of the real
engineering experience.”
Woodie Flowers
FIRST National Advisor
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

11. How FRC Works
✔ Mission is to INSPIRE, not EDUCATE
✔ But look at what is involved:
•
Math (algebra, geometry, trig, calculus)
•
Science (physics, chemistry, experimentation)
•
Language arts (writing, public speaking)
•
Business (marketing, PR, fundraising)
•
Finance (accounting)
•
Computer Science (programming, 3D animation)
•
Fabrication (woodworking, metalworking)
•
Mentorship: Working side-by-side with professionals
•
Teamwork
•
Gracious Professionalism ®
•
Coopertition®
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

12. FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®):
Team Growth
2014
3000
2,700
2,546
2500
2,343
Season
 2,700+ teams
2,072
2000
1,501
1500
1000
500
28
271
151 199
372
515
642
787
927 991
1,133
1,808
1,683
 68,000 high-school-age students
1,307
 10 or more students per team (av. 25)
0
'92
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
10
12
14
Projected
 54 Regionals; 4 Qualifying
Championships; 40 Qualifying
Competitions; 1 FRC Championship
 17 countries
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

13. FRC Impact
✔ Case History: Chatsworth High School,
Los Angeles, CA
✔ 60% students graduate
✔ Less than 50% go on to college
✔ Every FIRST participant graduated on time,
attended college, and many enrolled in honors
and advanced placement course
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

14. FRC Impact
✔ Case History: East Technical High School, Cleveland, OH
✔ “Just 5 years ago…an urban school…slated for closing.
We’ve become the science/engineering magnet school…
More students try out for FIRST team than football and
basketball combined.”
✔ Enrollment from 900 to 1,400
✔ Attendance rates from 60% to 82%
✔ FIRST team all graduated, all received scholarships
including Case Western Reserve, Cornell, MIT, Air Force
Academy, Ohio State, Georgetown
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

15. FRC Impact
Brandeis University Study
“More Than Robots”
(Funded by Ford Foundation)
Compared to their matched peers, FIRST Alumni are:
✔Significantly more likely to attend college.
✔3x more likely to major in engineering.
✔9x more likely to have an internship in Freshman year.
✔ 4x more likely to pursue a career in Engineering.
✔ 2.5x more likely to volunteer in the community.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

16. FRC Impact
Brandeis University Study
“More Than Robots”
(Funded by Ford Foundation)
✔ Female FIRST Alumni are 4x (400%) more likely to pursue
Technology and Engineering majors in college.
✔ Minority FIRST Alumni are 2x (200%) more likely to
pursue Technology and Engineering majors in college.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

17. FRC Impact
“This is the only sport I know of where everybody
who plays can become a pro.”
Walter P. Havenstein
FIRST Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Retired, SAIC
“I have a tremendous responsibility for making sure
we prepare the next generation of engineers and
scientists, and I can’t find a better program than
FIRST robotics.”
Congressman Chaka Fattah, 2nd District of Pennsylvania
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

18. How to Sponsor FRC
✔ Become a Sponsor
 Provide financial support
 Provide equipment and facilities
 Offer scholarships
 Provide internships
✔ Mentor a Team
 Involve employees as Mentors
✔ Volunteer at Events
 Involve employees as volunteers
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

19. Why Sponsor FRC?
✔ Builds technological literacy
✔ Strengthens company reputation in the community
✔ Creates pipeline for interns and future employees
✔ Engages employees in volunteerism opportunities
✔ Provides employees team-building opportunities
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

20. FIRST Founding Sponsors
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

21. FIRST Strategic Partners
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

22. More information
 On the web
 www.usfirst.org
 www.firstlegoleague.org
 www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org
 Call 1-800-871-8326
WWW.USFIRST.ORG
800-871-8326
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY