FIRST at a Glance

FIRST stands For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, and it’s mission statement stands as follows, “Our mission 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.”  Other things founder Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST, wanted from the program was to change the culture surrounding science and technology.  The hope is that the heros and role models of tommorow will not only be Hollywood celebrities and sports stars, but scientists and engineers

• Founded 1989
• Headquartered in Manchester, NH
• 501(c)(3) public charity
• FIRST Financial Information

Leadership

• Dean Kamen, Founder
• Walt Havenstein, Chairman of the Board
• Jon Dudas, President

Supporters

• Over 85,000 volunteers make FIRST happen
• FIRST is supported by a network of over 3,500 corporations, educational and professional institutions, and individuals

Programs

• FIRST Robotics Competition for high-school students
• FIRST Tech Challenge for high-school students
• FIRST LEGO League for 9 to 14 year-olds
• Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds
• FIRST Place for ages 6 to adult

2009 FIRST Scholarship Program

• Over $9 million in college scholarships
• Over 600 individual scholarship opportunities
• Over 120 scholarship providers

Overall Reach – All Programs (projected for 2008/09 season)

• Over 195,000 students
• 17,605 teams
• 16,405 robots
• 53,000 mentors
• 32,000 event volunteers

FIRST Robotics Competition

• 1809 teams
• 45,000+ high-school students
• Teams from twelve countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, and the U.K.
• 44 Regional events in the U.S., Canada, and Israel; seven District competitions and one State Championship in Michigan
• FIRST Robotics Competition Championship at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, GA, April 15-17, 2010
• Robots are built in 6 weeks from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST, and weigh up to 120 lbs. (excluding battery and bumpers)

2008 FIRST Tech Challenge

• 1,000 teams (projected)
• 10,000 high-school students
• 40 Tournaments in Canada, Mexico, U.S.
• FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, GA, April 16-18, 2009
• Robots are built using a modular robotics platform

>2008 FIRST LEGO League

• 13,705 teams
• 137,050 students, ages 9 to 14
• From 42 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China (Hong Kong), Colombia (Pilot), Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt , Faeroe Island, France, Germany , Greenland, Haiti (Pilot), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom
• Over 450 Qualifying Events and 89 Championship Tournaments
• FIRST LEGO League World Festival at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, GA, April 16-18, 2008
• Robots are built using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies

2008 Junior FIRST LEGO League

• 1,200 teams (projected)
• 6,000 students, ages 6 to 9
• 40 Jr.FLL Expos
• U.S. and Canada
• Kids design and construct a model using LEGO bricks and moving parts and present their research journey on a poster

From usfirst.org