FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human
Transporter. FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition in which teams of
high school students, sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers,
design, assemble, and test a robot capable of performing a specified task in
competition with other teams. FIRST also runs the FIRST LEGO League, for
children 9-14 years old, and FIRST Place, an innovative science and technology
center, including a hands-on children's science museum.
FIRST was founded on partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and
government. Many Fortune 500 companies provide funding, in-kind donations and
volunteers to support the program.
The key to FIRST's success is the work of over 25,000 volunteer mentors,
professional engineers, teachers, and other adults working with students across
the country. In addition to the thousands of volunteer team mentors, FIRST
competitions and other events were organized and staffed by over 14,000 event
and committee volunteers. Through these volunteers, FIRST programs engaged over
70,000 young people during the last year. FIRST programs are growing rapidly in
the United States and Canada, and demand is accelerating in other countries.
FIRST inspires in young people, their schools and communities an appreciation
of science and technology, and of how mastering these can enrich the lives of
all. Corporate America provides economic and professional support to FIRST. Many
Fortune 500 companies have significantly helped FIRST grow and are committed to
its continued progress. Government organizations such as NASA are key partners
in this worthwhile cause. FIRST represents a cooperative team effort by
students, teachers, communities, corporations, and our government.
http://www.usfirst.org/
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