FIRST

Vision

To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.

Mission

Our mission is 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.

Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

How Team 2228 Shares the Message of FIRST

As a FIRST team that consistently achieves attendence at two competitions a year, we are very connected with FIRST it's mission. We are constantly involved with the community and promote FIRST through events such as the Mendon Fireman's Carnival and Cougar Creations. At the Fireman's Carnival, we participate in the parade and have a booth and games to help promote STEM programs by educating the younger generation. Cougar Creations is an art and music festival that is hosted by Honeoye Falls-Lima (HF-L) and features the work of HF-L students. At Cougar Creations, Team 2228 initiates discussion of FIRST principles through robot expositions.

HF-L has been designated as the STEM school for our local area. Our school promotes Science, Math, and Technology. Also, most of the alumni of Team 2228 have gone into the STEM fields, a goal of FIRST.

Other FIRST Programs

The FIRST® Technical Challenge (FTC®) is designed for students who want to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams of up to 10 students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of programming languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.

The FIRST Lego League competition introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

Focused on building an interest in science and engineering for children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's inherent curiosity, directing it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them. Just like FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®), this program features a real-world challenge, to be solved by research, critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches and the Jr. FLL Core Values, students work with LEGO® elements and moving parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.

For more information about FIRST, see the links below:

Many celebrities endorse FIRST, and perform public service announcements about the benefits and opportunities given by FIRST. See the links below: