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. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, 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.
FIRST is More Than Robots. FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21st century work-life skills. Read more about the Impact of FIRST.
2. What is FIRST® Tech Challenge?
FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) is a robotics competition for grades 7 to 12 and is based on a sports model. Teams of approximately 15 students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages.
Teams, including Coaches, Mentors, and Volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
FTC® is about teaching students the value of hard work, innovation and creativity. It goes beyond competition by teaching teenagers the importance of working together, sharing ideas, and treating each other with respect and dignity.
FIRST LEGO League: FIRST® LEGO® League introduces STEM to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together. FIRST LEGO League’s three divisions inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
FIRST Tech Challenge: FIRST® Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams of students aged 12-18 design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.
FIRST Robotics Competition: FIRST® Robotics Competition teams (students aged 14-18) design, program, and build a robot starting with a standard kit of parts and common set of rules to play in a themed head-to-head challenge. Teams also build a brand, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community.
FIRST has many ways and levels of time commitment for volunteers. A great place to start is to take the FIRST volunteer training. For information on mentoring/coaching FIRST teams specifically, see this link.
For a more detailed description, check out the FIRST Volunteer Handbook.
Starting a FIRST LEGO League Team (Ages: 4-16)
Costs to Participate
Starting a FIRST Tech Challenge Team (Ages: 12-18)
Costs to Participate
Starting a FIRST Robotics Competition team (Ages: 14-18)
Costs to Participate
FIRST has a large support network. You can find the different levels of support for your country/state/region on this website.
7. How to Register as a FTC Volunteer
To become a FTC Volunteer, contact the FTC Partner in your area(BearCreekTutoring.org). A list of FTC Partners can be found on the FIRST website at: http://www.usfirst.org/regionalcontact.aspx.
In addition to the above, please visit our Volunteer Information and Matching System (VIMS) and register as a Volunteer at: http://www.usfirst.org/vims.
8. What You Can Expect From FIRST®
As a Volunteer for a FIRST program you play an important role in making our vision a reality. FIRST is a Volunteer driven organization and the success of the organization depends on you. FIRST has many different Volunteer opportunities to offer. Each opportunity offers a variety of exciting experiences. We want to inform you about the expectations you can have as a FIRST Volunteer.
Communication — Communications will occur through event organizers. They will be available to answer all your questions prior to and during the event.
Training — You will receive training specific to your assigned job either before, or on the morning of the event.
Volunteer T-Shirt and Name Badge — Depending on the program and event, you may be given a t-shirt and name badge. These designate you as a FIRST Volunteer for the day. They allow you access to the area of your Volunteer job and are your ticket to the Volunteer lounge for food and refreshments throughout the day.
Year of Service Pins — Year of Service Pins are a small token of appreciation for the countless hours FIRST Volunteers dedicate to our organization. Regions participating in Service Pin program present Year of Service Pins to volunteers for the milestone years 1,3,5,10,15 and 20.
And a Whole Lot More! — It doesn’t matter which FIRST program you volunteer for, you will always walk away at the end of the day with a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that you have helped children experience what they never might have without FIRST and without your support.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin Author, Inventor, Scientist, & Diplomat
9. Additional Resources
• Navigating the FIRST Website – useful links:
• http://firsttechchallenge.blogspot.com/2016/07/navigating-first[1]website-useful-links.html
• Review Available Resources – Team Management Resources: http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5226
• Game & Season Materials: http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5226
Additional Resources • Navigating the FIRST Website – useful links: • http://firsttechchallenge.blogspot.com/2016/07/navigating-first[1]website-useful-links.html
• Review Available Resources – Team Management Resources
• Game & Season Materials Game Forum Q&A https://ftc-qa.firstinspires.org/ Anyone may view questions and answers within the FIRST® Tech Challenge game Q&A forum without a password.
To submit a new question, you must have a unique Q&A system username and password for your team. FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manuals Part 1 and 2 - https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info FIRST Headquarters Pre-Event Support Phone: 603-666-3906 Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET Email: Firsttechchallenge@firstinspires.org
FIRST Websites FIRST homepage – www.firstinspires.org FIRST Tech Challenge Page – For everything FIRST Tech Challenge.
10. FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer Resources –
To access public volunteer manuals. FIRST Tech Challenge Event Schedule – Find FIRST Tech Challenge events in your area. FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media FIRST Tech Challenge Twitter Feed - If you are on Twitter, follow the FIRST Tech Challenge Twitter feed for news updates. FIRST Tech Challenge Facebook page - If you are on Facebook, follow the FIRST Tech Challenge page for news updates. FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel – Contains training videos, game animations, news clips, and more. FIRST Tech Challenge Blog – Weekly articles for the FIRST Tech Challenge community, including outstanding volunteer recognition! FIRST Tech Challenge Team Email Blasts – contain the most recent FIRST Tech Challenge news for teams.