FIRST NH to Receive Funds to Make FIRST Robotics Programs Available to All New Hampshire Students
MANCHESTER, N.H., October 2, 2020 – FIRST® NH, a local chapter of the global robotics community, FIRST, that prepares young people for the future, will play a key role in a new state initiative to increase enrichment opportunities for New Hampshire youth. On Thursday, Governor Chris Sununu announced the release of $1.5 million in CARES Act funds for the Education Enrichment Provider Program to support skill-building programs for NH students. With this funding, FIRST NH is prepared to provide programs to students, schools, and community groups throughout the state.
The Education Enrichment Provider Program recognizes that COVID-19 is limiting student access to extracurricular activities and that funding shortages are challenging nonprofit programs. The funds will support valuable problem-solving and personal development programs for New Hampshire youth, including those who participate in FIRST NH.
As a local chapter of the global nonprofit organization, FIRST, FIRST NH offers a progressive series of team robotics challenges for students aged 6-18. FIRST programs are designed with hands-on, real-world experiences known to increase interest and engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and inspire today’s kids to become tomorrow’s leaders.
“I’m quite passionate about the FIRST robotics program,” said Sununu. “It was founded right here in New Hampshire and is now a worldwide program—one of the most successful enrichment programs that you can find across the entire planet. Our announcement today is quite simple: any school that wants a team, every school that wants a kit, we will pay for the kit. We don’t want anyone to be left behind in this process.”
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, FIRST programs are ready to meet students wherever they are. Whether it’s in schools, after school, in person or remote, FIRST has modified their programs this year to be engaging in any of these environments. Any FIRST team in New Hampshire that registers for the 2020-21 season will have its entire registration fee covered. FIRST teams can be based at public, private, or home schools or community organizations such as scouts or 4H. Any setting will work, and anyone can start a team. FIRST NH provides many resources to get teams up and running, including funding, planning guides, workshops, and an extensive and supportive FIRST community.
FIRST founder Dean Kamen said, “We can’t thank the Governor enough for making FIRST available to every student in New Hampshire. Our vision is 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. This funding will build that movement right here at home.”
Any New Hampshire-based school or community group interested in registering or creating a FIRST team can do so by visiting www.firstnh.org.
About FIRST®
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the world’s leading educational nonprofit advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). FIRST engages students in kindergarten through high school in research and robotics programs that help them become science and technology leaders, as well as well-rounded contributors to society.
FIRST New Hampshire (FIRST NH) is a state-based, on-the-ground organization, working with schools, businesses, and communities to ensure that as many NH students as possible benefit from the FIRST experience.
For more information, visit www.firstnh.org.