FIRST : For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
FIRST is an international organization that encourages students to experience STEM through innovative projects and robotics competitions while also encouraging good sportsmanship and a community world view. The program has various levels to accommodate students from lower elementary all the way through high school (and beyond with activities and volunteer opportunities for college students and adults).
Jr.FLL (FIRST Lego League Junior)
Early elementary students explore challenges facing today's scientists using real-world math and science. They design and build a challenge-related model using Lego components and create a posterboard depicting information about their team, model and problem solution(s). They review their designs with 'judges' and share with each other at Expos in the region.
Early elementary students explore challenges facing today's scientists using real-world math and science. They design and build a challenge-related model using Lego components and create a posterboard depicting information about their team, model and problem solution(s). They review their designs with 'judges' and share with each other at Expos in the region.
FLL (FIRST Lego League)
Upper elementary students take this idea a step further. They are given a series of challenges on a themed table-top field. Teams determine game strategy, design, build, program (drag and drop) and perform with an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology. They also create a presentation on a solution to a real-world issue and present them before judges at a local competition.
Upper elementary students take this idea a step further. They are given a series of challenges on a themed table-top field. Teams determine game strategy, design, build, program (drag and drop) and perform with an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology. They also create a presentation on a solution to a real-world issue and present them before judges at a local competition.
TC (FIRST Tech Challenge)
Middle school teams face off in head-to-head competition (2 v 2) on a 12' x 12' field. Students begin to use engineering principals when designing and building their robots. They can use drag and drop programming or transition into code. They continue to develop problem-solving, organizational, business planning and team-building skills. Although much focus is still on the STEM aspects of competition, presentations and awards also strongly feature community outreach and involvement.
Middle school teams face off in head-to-head competition (2 v 2) on a 12' x 12' field. Students begin to use engineering principals when designing and building their robots. They can use drag and drop programming or transition into code. They continue to develop problem-solving, organizational, business planning and team-building skills. Although much focus is still on the STEM aspects of competition, presentations and awards also strongly feature community outreach and involvement.
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition)
The high school program combines the excitement of a varsity sport with hands-on real-world experience in science and technology in order to show high school students how rewarding a career in engineering or technology can be. Remotely controlled robots, piloted by students and cheered on by thousands of fans, go head-to-head (3 v 3) on the floor of a sports arena, battling it out to earn points during a two-minute round. There are strict rules, limited resources and time limits. Students use complex machinery, sophisticated hardware and software to build their 120lb robots. They are also learning about business planning, project budgeting, marketing, corporate relationships, and the importance of outreach and community involvement.
The high school program combines the excitement of a varsity sport with hands-on real-world experience in science and technology in order to show high school students how rewarding a career in engineering or technology can be. Remotely controlled robots, piloted by students and cheered on by thousands of fans, go head-to-head (3 v 3) on the floor of a sports arena, battling it out to earn points during a two-minute round. There are strict rules, limited resources and time limits. Students use complex machinery, sophisticated hardware and software to build their 120lb robots. They are also learning about business planning, project budgeting, marketing, corporate relationships, and the importance of outreach and community involvement.
Students on FIRST teams learn from, and play with, the 'pros' - professional business people and engineers who donate their time to work side-by-side with students to teach them the design process, workplace safety, and business processes. This gives FIRST students an insider's view of a career in science, engineering and technology not possible in a normal classroom setting. Plus, unlike other high school athletics, every student on a FIRST robotics team has a chance to turn "pro."