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. Teams across the world must apply the principles of engineering to fulfill the goals of a game devised by Dean Kamen, Woodie Flowers, and other engineers. Each game is unique with its own challenges and obstacles to overcome, not including the six-week build period in which brainstorming, development, and testing must occur. 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".