FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a distinctive style of sport designed to challenge the mind instead of the body in order to help foster a love for science and engineering in young adults. FIRST challenges its members to "transform our culture" using unique methods to educate their communities. Each year a new game is unveiled with its own unique challenges and obstacles to overcome. Teams across the world must apply the principles of engineering to fulfill the goals of the game devised by Dean Kamen, Woodie Flowers, and other engineers. Teams are challenged to design and build a robot ready for competition in a short six week build period. The entire process is a very demanding, very rewarding experience that leaves its participants forever transformed. When skilled engineering mentors and enthusiastic students work together, good things are bound to happen. Unlike any other sport, FIRST nurtures a phenomenally high amount of sportsmanship through philosophies known as Gracious Professionalism™ and Coopertition™. By randomly pairing teams together in competing alliances, FIRST teams are encouraged to work together. Opponents can be future allies. Participants in FIRST discover that learning important concepts and building significant relationships is the true definition of "winning".