For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology, or FIRST®,

is an international organization created by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989 in order to inspire youth to get involved in engineering through robotics competitions. Beginning in a single gymnasium in New Hampshire, the organization currently has close to 3000 FRC teams, over 3000 FTC teams, and more than 25,000 FLL/Jr. FLL teams in many countries all over the world. Every year, FIRST reaches over 350,000 students through its various competitions. Their large community is devoted to raising awareness and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), working towards a brighter future, inspiring students to pursue valuable STEM careers, and teaching important life lessons to everyone involved.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

FRC is one of the four competitions that FIRST runs, and is the primary competition that Team 303 participates in. This competition begins in January, when a completely new game is announced and the details are sent to over three thousand teams all around the world. Each team then has six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robot before competing in events held around the world to qualify for the World Championship, held in St Louis. Team 303 is primarily an FRC team which competes in the MAR district.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

FTC is another competition that is run by FIRST. This competition is played in a 2 vs 2 setting with robots no bigger than an 18in cube on a 12’x12’ square field. The competition is much more accessible to smaller schools or smaller private organizations, and is a very good introduction to using real parts for students before they move on to FRC. Because the season happens before FRC, Team 303 uses its two FTC teams as an introduction to robotics and as a way to teach new students the tools and procedures they will need for FRC.

FIRST Lego League (FLL) and Jr. FLL 

FLL and FLL Jr. are events run by FIRST that focus on the audience of young students from grades K-8. FLL Jr. and FLL are competitions that are played alone. Each competition has several challenges, which a team can receive points for completing. The robots are built with LEGO Mindstorms, and offer a segway into the concept of robotics at an early age. Team 303 helps to organize and volunteers at several of these events as a way to spread the ideas of robotics to younger audiences.