Posts
Activities
Activity of the Day, 1
Activity of the Day, 2
Activity of the Day, 3
Activity of the Day, 4
Activity of the Day, 5
Current LEGO Contest
More NXT Resources
Green City
Books
Books about Mindstorms
Links
Products
LEGO Education
Mindstorms Products
LEGO Shop
Curriculum
Teaching ROBOTC for LEGO Mindstorms
Robotics Engineering
Activities
Robotics Week Activities
Other Activities
NXT Models & Building Guides
Green City
PDF Files
Activities of the Day
Activity of the Day, 1
Activity of the Day, 2
Activity of the Day, 3
Activity of the Day, 4
Activity of the Day, 5
NXT Models & Building Guides
FIRST
FIRST is a robotics program with a 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." -Dean Kamen, Founder
Their 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."
There are four branches of FIRST. Each provide different age groups of kids with an opportunity to learn and practice engineering alongside real engineering mentors. Last year was my first year in FIRST. I was in FRC and I absolutely loved it. Working side-by-side with a real Boeing engineer, and I learned a ton of information I would have never learned on my own. FIRST is more than a class in which you listen to someone give lectures, complete homework, and try your hardest to remember what you're told. In FIRST you actually learn by experience. You're mistakes corrected by an engineer, and what would be easier to remember: reading about soldering, or soldering 20 wires on a robot that will compete in a competition? Here are the four branches of FIRST:
Jr. FIRST LEGO League
For young learners from grades K-3, JFLL introduces students to the exciting worlds of science and technology. The program features a real-world challenge to be solved by research, critical thinking and imagination.
FIRST LEGO League
Teams of students in grades 4-8 use their imaginations to participate in real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. The widely popular competition allows students to discover exciting career possibilities and learn to make positive contributions to society.
FIRST Tech Challenge
High school students in grades 9-12 compete in this fast-paced, exciting robotics competition, sharpening their problem-solving and teamwork skills. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their TETRIX robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams through this challenge.
FIRST Robotics Challenge
“The varsity sport for the mind,” FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of high school students (9-12 grades) and adults are challenged to design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get.My Posts About FIRST
What is FIRST?
FIRST Robotics (non-LEGO) Competition
More FIRST Robotics
