The world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education

Throughout history, great civilizations have risen, then fallen. Now it’s our turn to rise—building and bolstering our own planetary metropolis.

This 2019-2020 season, FIRST RISESM, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change, is setting out to inspire citizens of the galaxy to work together, strengthening and protecting the Force that binds us and creating a place where collaboration and collective wisdom can elevate new ideas and foster growth.

Together, we RISE. Join Us.

 

K-12 STEM PROGRAMS

FIRST ®
 LEGO® League Jr.

Captures young curiosity by exploring real-world scientific challenges, learning teamwork, and working with motorized LEGO® elements

GradesK-4
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It’s never too early to discover STEM

Through exploratory research, hands-on construction, teamwork, imagination, and fun with LEGO elements, FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. challenges teams of up to six kids to explore a real-world scientific concept, then build a motorized model and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey of discovery. Throughout the season, adult coaches provide guidance and inspiration.

Grades K-4; ages 6-10

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FIRST ®
 LEGO® League
Elementary and middle school-aged students research a real-world engineering challenge, develop a solution, and compete with LEGO-based robots of their own design
Grades4-8
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Imaginative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow’s innovators

With adult Coaches to guide them, FIRST® LEGO® League teams (up to 10 members) apply science, engineering, and math concepts, plus a big dose of imagination, to develop solutions to real-world challenges. They also design, build, and program LEGO MINDSTORMS®-based robots to perform autonomous “missions” on a playing field. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills.

Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

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FIRST ®
TECH CHALLENGE

Teams of middle and high school-aged students are challenged to design, build, and program a robot to play a floor game against other teams’ creations

Grades7-12
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It’s way more than building robots

Following a sports model, FIRST® Tech Challenge teams (10+ members) design, build, program, and operate robots of their own design to play a floor game in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

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FIRST ® Robotics Competition
High school-aged teams compete head to head on a special playing field with robots they have designed, built, and programmed
Grades9-12
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The excitement of sport, the rigors of science

Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer mentors including engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents, alumni and more, teams of 25+ students build and program robots to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors. They must also raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to apply for $80 million in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

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FIRST
LEGO League Jr.

Give your child the opportunity to feed their curiosity about science, develop teamwork skills, and have fun building with LEGO® elements.

GradesK-4
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It’s never too early to discover STEM.

FIRST LEGO League Jr. is a fun, creative, skill-building experience for kids that helps them learn the value of teamwork, respect for others, and making new discoveries. As a participant (Grades K-4; ages 6-10), your child will:

Design and build a challenge-related model using LEGO® components

Create a Show Me Poster and practice presentation skills

Explore challenges facing today's scientists

Discover real-world math and science

Begin developing teamwork skills

Choose to participate in expos and showcases

Engage in team activities guided by FIRST LEGO League Jr. Core Values

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.

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FIRST
LEGO League

Introduce your child to the concept of teamwork to research an engineering challenge, develop a solution, build and program a LEGO® robot, and acquire important life skills.

Grades4-8
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Innovative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow's Innovators.

FIRST LEGO League* is a fun, creative, skill-building experience for kids that helps them learn the value of teamwork, respect for others, and discovering their own strengths. As a participant, your child will:

Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technology

Research challenges facing today’s scientists

Apply real-world math and science concepts

Learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills

Participate in tournaments and celebrations

Understand and practice FIRST LEGO League Core Values

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.
*Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

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FIRST
Tech Challenge
Give your teen the opportunity play a “Sport for the Mind™” where they will design, build, and program game-playing robots.
Grades7-12
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It’s way more than building robots.

The positive impact of the FIRST Tech Challenge on participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 88% have more interest in school, 90% have more interest in taking a challenging math or science course, and 90% are more interested in attending college.

As a participant (Grades 7-12; ages 12-18) your child will: 

Qualify for $80 million in college scholarships

Build on their high school resume with experience that is highly regarded by colleges and universities  

Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills

Master STEM skills

Design, build, and program robots

Apply real-world math and science concepts

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.

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FIRST
Robotics Competition
High-schoolers have the opportunity play a varsity “Sport for the Mind™” where they design, build, and program game-playing robots.
Grades9-12
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Varsity Sport for the Mind.

The positive impact of the FIRST Robotics Competition on participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 88% have more interest in school, 90% have more interest in taking a challenging math or science course, and 90% are more interested in attending college.

A big advantage to participating in FIRST Robotics Competition is gaining access to $80 million in college scholarships offered by colleges, universities, and corporations who support FIRST.

As a participant (Grades 9-12; ages 14-18), your child will:

Work alongside professional engineers.

Build and compete with a robot of their own design.

Learn and use sophisticated hardware and software.

Develop design, project management, programming, teamwork, and strategic thinking skills. 

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FIRST
LEGO League Jr.

Do you enjoy building with LEGO® parts? Having fun with other kids? Learning about science and technology?

GradesK-4
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Let's go on a science and technology adventure!

You’ll love FIRST®LEGO® League Jr.! Teams of up to six kids* get to research a real-world problem (like food safety, recycling, energy, etc.), and then create a motorized model of what they discovered out of LEGO parts. They must also create a Show Me Poster that introduces their team and shows what they learned. Teams get judged at friendly expos and some lucky teams get invited to St. Louis to be part of the World Festival Expo, where kids from all over the world come together to celebrate their hard work. Sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Join or help start a team today!

*Grades K-4; ages 6-10

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FIRST
Lego League

Do you enjoy building with LEGO® parts? Having fun with other kids? Coming up with solutions to real problems?

Grades4-8
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We make science and math the most fun ever!

You’ll love FIRST® LEGO® League! Teams of up to 10 kids* get to research a real-world problem (like food safety, recycling, energy, etc.), and then are challenged to develop a solution using their new knowledge and creative imagination. They also must design, build, and program a working robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS® kit, then complete “missions” on a table-top playing field. Teams compete against each other at exciting events where they make new friends, show off what they learned and invented, express team spirit, and celebrate! Sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Join or help start a team today!

Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

Let's Go
FIRST
Tech Challenge
Are you up for the challenge of designing, building, programming, and operating robots to play a floor game in an alliance format?
Grades7-12
Learn More
It’s way more than building robots!

FIRST®Tech Challenge teams (10+ members) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

Let's Go
FIRST
Robotics Competition
Are you up for the challenge of designing, building, programming, and operating a 120lb. robot to play a field game in an alliance format?
Grades9-12
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Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology

We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the MindTM. High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time limit, teams of 25 or more students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Each season ends with regional competitions and an exciting FIRST Championship. As a participant, you'll have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

Let's Go
FIRST
LEGO League Jr.
Captures young curiosity by exploring real-world scientific challenges, learning teamwork, and working with motorized LEGO® elements
GradesK-4
Learn More
It’s never too early to discover STEM.

FIRST® LEGO® League Jr.† is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10 while exciting them through play and discovery with their favorite toy − LEGO®. Guided by two or more adult Coaches, teams (up to 6 members, grades K-4) explore a real-world scientific problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc. Then they create a Show Me Poster that illustrates their journey of discovery and introduces their team. They also construct a motorized model of what they learned using LEGO elements. In the process, teams learn about teamwork, the wonders of science and technology, and FIRST LEGO League Jr. Core Values, which include respect, sharing, and critical thinking. At the close of each season, teams come together on a regional basis to strut their stuff, share ideas, celebrate, and have fun!

† An alliance between FIRST and the LEGO® Group     

Let's Go
FIRST
Lego League
Elementary and middle school-aged students research a real-world engineering challenge, develop a solution, and compete with LEGO-based robots of their own design
Grades4-8
Learn More
Imaginative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow’s innovators

Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST® LEGO® League† teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8*) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS® kit,  then compete on a table-top playing field. It all adds up to tons of fun while they learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts (STEM), plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Along their discovery journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges. They also practice the Program’s Core Values.

† An alliance between FIRST and the LEGO® Group     

*Ages 9-14; ages vary by country

Let's Go
FIRST
Tech Challenge
Teams of middle and high school-aged students are challenged to design, build, and program a robot to play a floor game against other teams’ creations
Grades7-12
Learn More
It’s way more than building robots

FIRST® Tech Challenge teams (10+ members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

Let's go
FIRST
Robotics Competition
High school-aged teams compete head to head on a special playing field with robots they have designed, built, and programmed
Grades9-12
Learn More
The excitement of sport, the rigors of science

Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer mentors including engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents, alumni and more, teams of 25+ students have just six weeks to build and program robots to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors. They must also raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to apply for $25+ million in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

Let's Go

For Parents

Inspirational Stories

FIRST builds my students into leaders

Sherry Comer

Camdenton R-III Afterschool Services Director & FIRST Mentor

 
viewFIRST Mentor
NEW

Strategies for creating STEM engagement opportunities in high-poverty schools

STEM Equity Grantees

FIRST School Districts

 
viewFIRST School District
NEW

Teacher inspires a culture change through high school robotics and crowdfunding

Monique Dituri

FIRST Robotics Competition Mentor & STEM Teacher, Clifton High School, NJ

 
viewFIRST Robotics Competition Mentor
NEW

FIRST is about constantly growing, learning, and improving

Connor Tinker

FIRST Alum, Volunteer, & Mentor

 
viewFIRST Alum
NEW
FIRST
LEGO League Jr.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. captures young children’s inherent curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology.
GradesK-3
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Welcome to FIRST LEGO League Jr.
For children ages 6-9, FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Let's Go
FIRST
Lego League
In FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, teams design their own solution to a current scientific question or problem and build autonomous LEGO robots that perform a series of missions.
Grades4-8
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Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League
For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Let's Go
FIRST
Tech Challenge
In FIRST TECH CHALLENGE, teams, including Coaches, Mentors and Volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles.
Grades7-12
Learn More
Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League
For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Let's Go
FIRST
Robotics Competition
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get.
Grades9-12
Learn More
Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League
For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Let's Go

Volunteer with FIRST

Experience FIRST programs in action

Impact the next generation of changemakers! Volunteering with FIRST is an amazing opportunity for you to be energized, feel fulfilled, and have FUN. You’ll be inspired when you join our community and feel the energy and excitement that our programs bring to students and adults alike.

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