The History of First

What does FIRST stand for anyway? For all of you that have just got the Robotics fever and still trying to find the meaning of this acronym, FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. 

FIRST is an organization started by inventor Dean Kamen (and all the masterminds of FIRST) in 1989, in the hopes of fostering interest among high school students in the Engineering and Technology fields. The FIRST headquarters are in Manchester, New Hampshire, where the very first, FIRST Robotics competition (FRC) was held in 1992. FIRST also holds theFTC (First Tech Challenge), and FLL (First Lego League).

FRC Competiton

FRC is a competition that combines technology and sports. The technology aspect being the constructionand use of robots.  The robots must compete in a sport-type game every year against and with other teams because the completion is between alliances of teams and not individual teams. This type of themechallenges teams not only in design and fabrication, but also strategy and along the way promotes sportsmanship. The underlying spirit ofthe competition is always "Gracious Professionalism"

The first FRC game was held in 1992 in Manchester, New Hampshire which was Maize Craze. This game was much different than compared to the most recent challenges. The game was played on a table, and had four robots collecting tennis balls to a starting base. Plus, the floor was made of corn (hence, Maize Craze was the title)!

Not only are Robotics teams trying to perform their best on the field they are also trying to recieve other awards that FIRST recognizes. Awards such as the Chairmans and the Regional Finalist are coveted by most teams. Some other awards, to name a few, such as the Website, Judge's, Motorola Quality and Animation are awarded.

Spirit of FIRST

Anyone that has been to a FIRST regional will tell you it has the atmosphere and the excitement of a major sporting event. For a few weeks in March the competitions take center stage and make all the long hours of the build season worthwhile. But success does not come without a lot of ground work. The work is year round, in and outside the class room. Students learn not only engineering but project management, C programming, AutoCAD programs and learn to build with their hands. A life long love of science and engineering is instilled in the FIRSTers, just as the founders intended. If the fantastic growth of the league is any evidence, FIRST will continue to instill and foster a love of engineering, science and a spirit of Gracious Professionalism in generations of FIRSTers to come.

These aspects aren't ony in FRC. FIRST has many different levels and there are even some other programs that we work with to promote engineering and technology. The spirit of FIRST is passed down from level to level and generation to generation.