About the Competition
A GLOBAL ROBOTICS COMMUNITY PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE
What is FIRST®
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST® is a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience. Because our programs are More Than Robots®, students build self-confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills as they conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements. FIRST is backed by a global network of mentors, educators, volunteers, sponsors, parents, alumni, and program delivery partners.
Learn more from these videos about FIRST
What are the different FIRST Competitions
Ages 4-16
FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) introduces STEM to children 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.
Ages 12-18
FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) students work together with their mentors to design and build robots to compete in a dynamic and exciting challenge released every September. Teams program classroom-sized robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches. On and off the field, students develop STEM skills, engage in community outreach, practice engineering innovation, and build confidence to help them succeed.
Ages 14-18
FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) teams design, program, and build industrial-sized robots starting with a Kit of Parts to play an action-packed game released in January on a themed field as part of a three-team alliance. Students learn engineering and problem-solving skills as they compete for awards, create a team identity, raise funds, hone teamwork skills, and advance appreciation for STEM in their community.
About the FIRST 2024-2025 Season Challenge Theme
The ocean is more than what you can see on the horizon. Beneath the surface lies our planet’s most complex ecosystems, full of life and potential for exploration and learning, where each inhabitant has a role to play in building a thriving environment.
During the 2024-2025 FIRST season, FIRST® DIVE℠ presented by Qualcomm, teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean. Along the way, we’ll uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world with healthy oceans. Join us as we explore the future.
About the FRC 2024-2025 Season Challenge
In REEFSCAPE℠ presented by Haas, a new challenge launching January 4, 2025, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats – making waves to build a better world.
Learn more about FIRST
ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD?
Melbourne RoboCats 5648 