FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

FIRST's vision is to positively transform culture by inspiring young people, their schools, and communities to appreciate science and technology. For more information about FIRST, visit the website at www.usfirst.org...

 

FRC - FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, international competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience — and a lot of fun.

In 2007 the competition will reach more than 30,000 students. The 1,300 FRC teams come from Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, Mexico, United Kingdom, and almost every U.S. state. The 36 regional competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of lots of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, and deadlines.

The Greater Kansas City area will host its first FRC event March 15-17, 2007 at Hale Arena in the American Royal Complex. Click on the Events tab for more information about the Greater Kansas City FRC event. The competition shows students that the technological fields hold many career and job-related opportunities and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention are exciting and interesting. Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals provide scholarships to members of FRC teams.

 

FLL - FIRST Lego League

For 9-14 year-olds, there is FIRST LEGO League. The FIRST LEGO League (FLL), considered the "little league" of the FIRST Robotics Competition, is the result of a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. FLL extends the FIRST concept of inspiring and celebrating science and technology to children usually aged 9 through 14, using real-world context and hands-on experimentation.

In 2006 the competition reached more than 62,000 students on 7,501 teams worldwide. The teams came from 29 countries and almost every U.S. state. With the help of LEGO® MINDSTORMS™ Robotics Invention System™ technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group.

Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions. In 2007, Kansas City will host its first FLL championship at the Business and Technology College.

For more information, visit www.usfirst.org/what/fll/...