Help us to change lives, change our culture and change the future! Whether you have a few weekend hours, the desire to mentor a team for a season, or want to work behind the scenes to help FIRST grow, opportunities abound for people who want to give back.
FIRST events are an exciting way to see youth in action, applying the knowledge and skills developed through team participation. FIRST event-day volunteers help both behind the scenes and in highly visible roles. Many roles do not require any technical expertise.
Team mentors and coaches work side-by-side with FIRST teams to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. They have a variety of backgrounds, but all share in the FIRST commitment of inspiring young people, their schools and communities an appreciation of science and technology, and how mastering these can enrich the lives of all.
The time required varies by program. Teams not only need week-to-week guidance on the technology of their building and/or science projects, but they need guidance on organizing outreach and fundraising efforts in their community. Coaches and mentors do not need to have any technical expertise—just a willingness to inspire youth. Although some teams need topic-related expertise for a short period of time, these positions generally require a six-month commitment.
Each FIRST program offers a range of positions from technical to non-technical. Read about roles available for each program below:
FIRST LEGO League Explore Volunteer Roles
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Volunteer Roles
FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer Roles
FIRST Robotics Competition Volunteer Roles
Time commitments vary by role. You and your family can decide together how much time you can devote to the program. Even if you only have a few weekend hours, your time will be well spent and make a positive difference.
FIRST Kansas City serves many areas of Kansas and Missouri including urban, suburban and rural parts of our region. Whether you are volunteering for an event or directly with a team, there is likely an opportunity available within a short drive. Once you register with FIRST, you can search for events in Kansas and repeat the search for Missouri to capture all that’s happening in our region. See an overview of events for the 2024-25 season here.
If you are new to volunteering with FIRST, begin by creating a profile on the FIRST headquarters website. Start here.
The FIRST Volunteer Registration User Guide walks you through the process step by step and includes answers to frequently asked questions.
Once you have activated your FIRST account, complete the “About You” and “Expertise” sections to help us match you with volunteering roles that fit your interests. This information helps us be aware of dietary restrictions for catering, proper shirt size and any physical limitations that may prohibit you from participating in certain volunteering roles.
FIRST is serious about student safety. We strive to create an environment in which team members can grow, learn and have fun with minimal risk of injury.
To ensure a safe environment for all FIRST team members, every adult volunteer from the United States and Canada must complete a background screening through the Volunteer Registration process.
We are excited that you are interested in volunteering with FIRST!
Use the “I want to find out more!” form on this page to contact us directly for additional support.
