What is FIRST?
"FIRST believes that the teams who take the lead in developing safety programs and policies have a positive and lasting impact on each team member, Mentor, their communities, and their present and future workplaces. FIRST recognizes the teams that demonstrate safety throughout their programs and are truly committed to developing and nurturing a safety culture."
-From firstinspires.org
"FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. FIRST is a national, non-profit organization with the goal to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership”.
The organization was founded by Dean Kamen in 1989 and began competing in 1992. Founder Dean Kamen is an entrepreneur and a major advocate for science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3), FIRST wants to motivate youth in the topics of math, science, technology, and other life skills to help them throughout their lives. They also help children improve their capabilities in science and technology and help youth increase their communication, self-confidence, and leadership traits.
In 2014, FIRST provided over 20 million dollars in scholarship funds to FIRST robotics students. Gracious professionalism is also part of FIRST’s ethos. This encourages high-quality work and teaches others to respect individuals and their community. Fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn to compete well but in the end treat one another with respect in the given process. This information was taken from FIRST's official website. To find out more, visit www.firstinspires.org.
