What is FIRST® Robotics?
FIRST® Robotics aims to inspires students into careers of science and technology through building robots. Founded by Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST® Robotics aims to build the leaders of tomorrow by immersing them in a microcosm of the real world with high-pressure, team oriented activities that build communication skills, leadership and confidence. For more information, visit the FIRST® Website.
What is the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Program and how is FIRST® Mid-Atlantic involved?
The FRC program at FIRST® focuses primarily on high school students. At the first weekend of January, FIRST® releases a game that is played on a basketball-sized playing field. Students are given 6 weeks to conceptualize, prototype, design, build, and program a robot to compete against each other in various tournaments. FIRST® Mid-Atlantic was formed to conduct the FIRST® Robotics Competition in the regions of New Jersey, Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania by organizing events and supporting teams.
What is the impact of FIRST® Robotics?
Here are a few documents from the FIRST® website summarizing the impact:
- 2011, FTC/FRC Cross Program Evaluation, Executive Summary
- 2009, FRC District Tournament Pilot
- 2005, More than Robots: An Evaluation of FRC Participant and institutional Impacts, Executive Summary
Additional documents on the impact of the various FIRST® programs can be found in the FIRST® Resource Library.
How do I mentor an existing team or start a team?
For resources on starting an FIRST® Robotics Competion team, there are many great resources on the FIRST® website.
To see if there is an existing team by you, use the team locator tool on the FIRST® website.
If you would like to start an FRC team, or if you want to become a mentor for an existing FRC team, send an email to [email protected].