FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology)

FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology)
Name	FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology)
Founded	1989
Founder	Dean Kamen
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Manchester, New Hampshire
Area served	International

FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) is an international youth organization that designs mentorship-driven robotics programs to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. It was founded to inspire young people through competitive robotics events that combine concepts from robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. FIRST emphasizes mentorship and collaboration among students, volunteers, corporate partners, and educators from institutions such as MIT, NASA, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

History

FIRST was established in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen with early support from organizations including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and corporations like General Motors and United Technologies. The organization's early events drew inspiration from robotics competitions at MIT and community outreach models from America SCORES and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Through the 1990s FIRST expanded via partnerships with institutions such as Boston Scientific, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Draper Laboratory, while aligning with education initiatives promoted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Academy of Engineering. In the 2000s FIRST grew internationally with regional events across Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and Israel, collaborating with universities like University of Toronto, Imperial College London, University of Melbourne, University of São Paulo, and Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Recent decades have seen FIRST interact with technology firms including Google, Microsoft, Intel, Apple Inc., and Amazon (company) and with philanthropic entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.

Programs and Competitions

FIRST organizes tiered programs for different age ranges, including initiatives comparable to youth programs at Smithsonian Institution outreach centers and informal learning spaces like Exploratorium. The programs include the elementary-level program that mirrors informal STEM engagement at Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Science Museum, London; middle school competitions analogous to Intel International Science and Engineering Fair experiences; and high school championships inspired by large-scale events such as SXSW and Maker Faire. Signature competitions draw parallels to tournaments run by VEX Robotics Competition, RoboCup, World Robot Olympiad, International Mathematical Olympiad, and FIRST LEGO League alumni networks. Events culminate in regional and world championships that resemble the scale of X Games, World Science Festival, and international gatherings hosted at venues like Wembley Stadium, Houston Reliant Stadium, and the Edward Jones Dome.

Organization and Governance

FIRST operates as a nonprofit entity overseen by a board of directors with connections to corporate boards at General Electric, Siemens, Boeing, and 3M. Executive leadership has included founders and executives who previously served at organizations such as Danfoss, Rockwell Automation, Corning Incorporated, and Honeywell. Governance structures incorporate advisory councils with representatives from academic institutions like Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, Caltech, Yale University, and Columbia University, and policy advisors formerly affiliated with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the National Science Teachers Association. FIRST's operational model uses volunteer networks similar to those in American Red Cross, Rotary International, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

Impact and Outreach

FIRST reports participant outcomes that researchers compare to studies published by National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Pew Research Center. Alumni have matriculated to universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, and Georgia Institute of Technology and entered careers at firms like Tesla, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Intel, and Facebook. Outreach initiatives collaborate with community partners including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Teach For America, and municipal education offices in cities such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London. FIRST-affiliated studies appear alongside work from research centers like SRI International, RAND Corporation, and Brookings Institution examining workforce development and STEM pipeline issues similar to reports produced by the National Science Foundation.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding for FIRST combines corporate sponsorships from technology firms such as Google, Apple Inc., Microsoft, Intel, and Amazon (company) with philanthropic grants from foundations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. FIRST secures in-kind support from manufacturers like Caterpillar Inc., John Deere, ABB, and Rockwell Automation, and partners with universities such as MIT, Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and ETH Zurich for curriculum development and research collaborations. Governmental and intergovernmental collaborations have involved agencies and bodies like NASA, National Science Foundation, United States Department of Education, and regional education ministries in Australia, Canada, and Singapore.

Awards and Recognition

FIRST and its participants have received awards and recognition from institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, TIME (magazine), Forbes, Bloomberg, and distinctions from industry organizations such as IEEE, Association for Computing Machinery, Society of Women Engineers, and National Inventors Hall of Fame. Notable honors for leaders and alumni parallel accolades given by MacArthur Fellows Program, Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and awards presented at conferences like CES and SXSW Interactive. FIRST events have been profiled in media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC News, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal and celebrated at ceremonies hosted by civic institutions including City of Boston and State of New Hampshire.

Category:Robotics competitions Category:Youth organizations