The FIRST® organization (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen. While robots are a big part of its programs, FIRST is much more than that. FIRST encourages a philosophy known as “Gracious Professionalism®”, promoting hard work, respect, and the value of others. A second philosophy of FIRST, “Coopertition®”, encourages not only respect and kindness towards opponents, but also cooperation and assistance in the face of fierce competition. Through these values, students who participate in FIRST learn skills and values essential to a productive and successful future. 

FRC is the largest competition within FIRST. Thirty five hundred teams in 28 countries comprising about 87,000 students participated during the last season. With a new game each year, FRC challenges team members to plan, design, and construct a roughly 130lb robot in two months that will compete on the game field in alliances with other teams.  Matches are between two alliances of three robots each and are two and a half minutes long, with the robot performing autonomously during the initial 30 seconds.