FIRST® Certified Professional Development

FIRST Certified Professional Development is an immersive learning experience designed for teachers, facilitators, coaches, and mentors to acquire or strengthen project-based learning facilitation skills and gain experience with all aspects of one of the FIRST programs. Each course is led by a FIRST Certified Trainer and provides anyone new to facilitating FIRST the tools and confidenceto bring FIRST programs to your classroom or as a structured afterschool program. Certificates for continuing education or professional development credit are provided following the completion of the session. 

During your chosen session, you will use hands-on practice through modeling and demonstration of STEM learning objectives within FIRST programs. Each session is designed to: 

  • Apply and facilitate a project-based learning environment through active engagement.
  • Grow your knowledge, skills, and methods of STEM and playful learning teaching methods.
  • Practice student elements of your FIRST program and best practices for implementation.
  • Emphasize educational best practices for student engagement.


FIRST Certified Professional Development is available in three ways:

  • Remote:  Join a cohort via our flexible learning option that features live collaboration using remote meeting tools and includes hands-on learning using your materials. (Cost varies by program, $300-$600 per seat.) > View upcoming sessions
  • In-Person Regional:  Join us at various locations around the U.S. No need to have your own materials we provide everything you need. (Cost varies by program, $300-$600 per seat.) > View upcoming sessions
  • School District On-Site:  Custom session to meet your school district's timing, program levels, educator quantity and other needs. (Pricing is customized and starts at $3,000 or $6,000 depending on your program.) > Request a quote
Send me Professional Development information

Series of 3 photos showing educators at FIRST Professional Development sessions

 

Upcoming In-Person and Remote Sessions

Note: Session registration closes prior to the cohort start date. Remote and in-person have different course descriptions; please read the course descriptions carefully. 

FIRST® LEGO® League Discover (grades PreK-1)

During FIRST LEGO League Discover professional development, you'll learn how to engage children ages 4-6 and ignite their natural curiosity with activities that build habits of learning and introduce STEM concepts using LEGO® DUPLO® bricks.

In-Person Regional Sessions - 6 hours

$300 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.
 

In-person course description.

New dates for in-person regionals coming in the Spring of 2024

Remote Sessions - 6 hours

$300 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.
 

Remote course description

January 2024 Remote Cohort 1 - Register

One six-and-a-half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • January 26 (Friday), 9:30 am – 4:00 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 - Register

Three consecutive two-hour sessions (6 hours)

  • February 6 (Tuesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • February 7 (Wednesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • February 8 (Thursday), 7pm – 9pm EST

February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 - Register

One six-and-a-half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 10 (Saturday), 11:30 am – 6:00 pm ET

FIRST® LEGO® League Explore (grades 2-4)

During FIRST LEGO League Explore professional development, you'll learn how to engage students in grades 2-4 and harness their natural curiosity to investigate real-world problems, learn to design and code, and create innovative solutions made with LEGO® bricks.

In-Person Regional Sessions - 12 hours 

$600 per seat  

Expand (+) the block to see options.

In-person course description. 

New dates for In-person regionals coming in the Spring of 2024

 

Remote Sessions - 12 hours 

$600 per seat  

Expand (+) the block to see options.

Remote course description.

January 2024 Remote Cohort - Register

Six two-hour sessions, two days a week for three weeks (14 hours)

  • January 16 & January 18 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 23 & January 25 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 30 & February 1 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 - Register

Two six-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 3 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET

  • February 10 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 - Register

Two six-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 15 (Thursday), 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET

  • February 16 (Friday), 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge (grades 4-8)

During FIRST LEGO League Challenge professional development, you'll learn how to engage students in grades 4-8 in research, problem-solving, engineering, and building and coding a LEGO® robot.

In-Person Regional Sessions - 14 hours

$600 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.

In-person course description. 

New dates for In-person regionals coming in the Spring of 2024

Remote Sessions - 14 hours

$600 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.

Remote course description.

January 2024 Remote Cohort - Register

Seven two-hour sessions, two days a week for three-and-a-half weeks (14 hours)

  • January 16 & January 18 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 23 & January 25 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 30 & February 1 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • February 6 (Tuesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 - Register

Two seven-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 3 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

  • February 10 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 - Register

Two seven-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 15 (Thursday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

  • February 16 (Friday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

FIRST® Tech Challenge (grades 7-12)

During FIRST Tech Challenge professional development, you'll learn how to engage students in grades 7-12 in the engineering design process and career-ready practices through team-driven robot building and programming.

In-Person Regional Sessions - 14 Hours

$600 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.

In-person course description. 

New dates for In-person regionals coming in the Spring of 2024

Remote Sessions - 14 Hours

$600 per seat 

Expand (+) the block to see options.

Remote course description.

January 2024 Remote Cohort - Register

Seven two-hour sessions, two days a week for three-and-a-half weeks (14 hours)

  • January 17 (Wednesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 22 & January 24 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • January 29 & January 31 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

  • February 5 & February 7 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 - Register

Two seven-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 3 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

  • February 10 (Saturday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 - Register

Two seven-and-a-half-hour days (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)

  • February 15 (Thursday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

  • February 16 (Friday), 11:00 am – 6:30 pm ET

FIRST Tech Challenge Academy - 40 Hours this is a unique, only in-person offering and is a full week

$2500 per seat

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FIRST Tech Challenge Academy: By the end of your five-day, 40-hour learning experience, you'll have the fundamental tools you need to bring the FIRST experience to young people in the classroom or structured after-school environments. Date(s) for next year's academy will be published in early 2024. 

 

Free, Self-Paced FIRST Program Trainings

For access to free, self-paced FIRST program trainings for coaches, mentors, and teachers, visit our Free, Self-Paced Trainings page.

FIRST Certified Trainers Application

FIRST Certified Trainers deliver professional development for the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge programs. We currently have enough trainers to support our delivery requests. We reassess the needs each year and will post in February if the application process will reopen.

Professional Development FAQs

How do I register for a professional development (PD) session?
  • Regional In-Person and Remote PD Sessions - You can register yourself or small groups using our Eventbrite registration.
  • District PD - You can request a quote for us to come to you if you have a group of 10 or more and a location for delivery. Use our form to request a quote.
  • Registration is through the link on this website and Eventbrite. If you have questions or need help with registration, email FIRSTEducation@firstinspires.org.
How long or how many days is in-person regional professional development?
  • FIRST LEGO League Discover (grades PreK-1) – 1 Day (6 hours)
  • FIRST LEGO League Explore (grades 2-4) – 2 Days (12 hours)
  • FIRST LEGO League Challenge (grades 4-8) – 2 Days (14 hours)
  • FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) – 2 Days (14 hours)
  • FIRST Tech Challenge Academy (grades 7-12) – 5 Days (40 hours)
What does it cost to attend a regional and/or remote professional development session?
  • FIRST LEGO League Discover costs $300 per participant.
  • FIRST LEGO League Explore, FIRST LEGO League Challenge and FIRST Tech Challenge cost $600 per participant.
  • FIRST Tech Challenge Academy, an extended five-day, 40-hour learning experience, costs $2,500 per participant.
  • Payment information and instructions are listed within the registration link on Eventbrite.
What are the regional in-person locations?
All in-person locations currently scheduled are listed on the professional development webpage.
How do I pay?
Payment information and instructions are listed within the Eventbrite registration link.
Are the professional development fees refundable?
Professional development fees are non-refundable but can be transferred and applied to another date or location.
Will the professional development courses be canceled? If so, how far in advance will I be notified?
If these are canceled, the cancelation policy will apply but we will have alternative options for you to choose from at that time.
Is there training in my area?
You can find FIRST Professional Development sites on this website. You can also sign up to receive information about FIRST Professional Development and be notified when new locations or offerings are added, or to inquire about bringing PD to your area.
What is a cohort for remote professional development?
A cohort is the date and time sequence that you are required to choose as an option to attend for remote professional development. All members of the cohort will be the same throughout the series.
What equipment do I need for remote professional development?
Each course requires specific equipment to successfully complete the course. For a complete listing view the course descriptions on this website.
What if I cannot attend all sessions in a cohort for the remote option?
To maintain the integrity of the course and have a cohesive experience attendance at each session in a cohort is mandatory to receive successful completion credit for the course. You are also not allowed to switch between cohorts.
Will there be more sessions for professional development than are shown on the website?
  • We add additional sessions 6 – 8 weeks prior to the start of the courses.
  • Professional development sessions where “we come to you” need to be quoted, then scheduled. We do not provide robots or other FIRST materials for these sessions. Sites must have appropriate equipment on site.
What topics does my session cover? Will I learn how to code?
Each FIRST Certified Professional Development course covers all aspects of one FIRST program so that you can help students learn and problem solve, and does not go in-depth into coding or programming concepts. See the course description for the sessions you are interested in for more information.