FIRST® Certified Professional Development
FIRST Certified Professional Development is an immersive learning experience that will help you acquire or strengthen your facilitation skills for project-based learning and 21st-century skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in an active learning environment. Each course is led by a FIRST Certified Trainer and provides the necessary tools to 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
- Learn changes in teaching practice towards student engagement, interacting with the community, and increasing rigor and relevance in your curriculum
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.
- In-Person Regional – Join us at various locations around the U.S. no need to have your own materials, we provide everything you need.
- School District On-Site Training – Custom session to meet the needs, program levels, and educator quantity of your choice. Pricing may differ from list pricing. Request a quote.
Program Levels and Pricing
- FIRST LEGO League Discover (grades PreK-1) – 1 Day $250 per seat * Starting May 1, 2023, $300 per seat
- FIRST LEGO League Explore (grades 2-4) – 2 Days $500 per seat * Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per seat
- FIRST LEGO League Challenge (grades 4-8) – 2 Days $500 per seat * Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per seat
- FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) – 2 Days $500 per seat * Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per seat
- FIRST Tech Challenge Academy (grades 7-12) – 5 Days $2500 per seat
Learn more about FIRST Certified Professional Development
Upcoming In-Person and Remote Sessions - Note: Session registrations close prior to the cohort start date and remote and in-person have different course descriptions, please read carefully.
FIRST LEGO League Discover (grades PreK-1)
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.
$250 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $300 per Seat
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April 2023 - George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
April 18 (Tuesday), 8:30 am to 3:30 pm CST (60-minute lunch)
June 2023 - Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida
June 13 (Tuesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
July 2023 – Evergreen Country Day School, Denver, CO
July 7 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
August 2023 – Miramonte Christian School, Los Altos, California
August 3 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
September 2023 – FIRST Headquarters, NH
September 20 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)$250 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $300 per Seat
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August Remote Cohort – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 26 (Saturday), 11:30am – 6:00pm EST
September Remote Cohort 1 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
September 11 (Monday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
September Remote Cohort 2 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
September 23 (Saturday), 11:30am – 6:00pm EST
September Remote Cohort 3 – 3 consecutive two-hour sessions (6 hours)
September 26 (Tuesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
September 27 (Wednesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
September 28 (Thursday), 7pm – 9pm EST
October Remote Cohort 1 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 6 (Friday), 9:30am – 4:00pm EST
October Remote Cohort 2 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 14 (Saturday), 11:30am – 6:00pm EST
October Remote Cohort 3 – 3 consecutive two-hour sessions (6 hours)
October 17 (Tuesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
October 18 (Wednesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
October 19 (Thursday), 7pm – 9pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort 1 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
January 13 (Saturday), 11:30am – 6:00pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort 2 – 3 consecutive two-hour sessions (6 hours)
January 16 (Tuesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
January 17 (Wednesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
January 18 (Thursday), 7pm – 9pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort 3 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
January 26 (Friday), 9:30am – 4:00pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 – 3 consecutive two-hour sessions (6 hours)
February 6 (Tuesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
February 7 (Wednesday), 7pm – 9pm EST
February 8 (Thursday), 7pm – 9pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 10 (Saturday), 11:30am – 6:00pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 3 – one six and a half-hour day (6 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 12 (Monday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
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
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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April 2023 - George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Monday, April 17, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday, 18, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
June 2023 - Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida
June 14 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
June 15 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
July 2023 – Evergreen Country Day School, Denver, CO
July 6 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
July 7 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
August 2023 – Miramonte Christian School, Los Altos, California
August 2 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August 3 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August/September 2023 – Doolittle Institute, Niceville, FL
August 31 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 1 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 2023 – FIRST Headquarters, NH
September 18 (Monday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
September 19 (Tuesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
Remote Sessions - 12 hours
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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Remote Sessions - Remote course description.
August Remote Cohort 1 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 7 (Monday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
August 8 (Tuesday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
August Remote Cohort 2 – 2 six and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 19 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
August 26 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
September Remote Cohort – 6 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3 weeks (14 hours)
September 12 & September 14 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 19 & September 21 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 26 & September 28 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
October Remote Cohort 1 – 2 six and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 5 (Thursday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
October 6 (Friday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
October Remote Cohort 2 – 2 six and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 7 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
October 14 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort – 6 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3 weeks (14 hours)
January 16 & January 18 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 23 & January 25 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 30 & February 1 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 – 2 six and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 3 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
February 10 (Saturday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 – 2 six and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 15 (Thursday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
February 16 (Friday), 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
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.
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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April 2023 - George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Monday, April 17, 2023, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 18, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
June 2023 - Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida
June 14 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 5:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
June 15 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
July 2023 – Evergreen Country Day School, Denver, CO
July 6 (Thursday), 8:30am – 5:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
July 7 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
August 2023 – Miramonte Christian School, Los Altos, California
August 2 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 5:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August 3 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August/September 2023 – Doolittle Institute, Niceville, FL
August 31 (Thursday), 8:30am – 5:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 1 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 2023 – FIRST Headquarters, NH
September 18 (Monday), 8:30am – 5:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
September 19 (Tuesday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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August Remote Cohort 1 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 7 (Monday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August 8 (Tuesday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 19 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August 26 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
September Remote Cohort 1 – 7 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3.5 weeks (14 hours)
September 11 & September 13 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 18 & September 20 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 25 & September 27 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
October 2 (Monday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
September 16 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
September 23 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
October Remote Cohort – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 5 (Thursday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
October 6 (Friday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort – 7 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3.5 weeks (14 hours)
January 16 & January 18 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 23 & January 25 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 30 & February 1 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
February 6 (Tuesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 3 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 10 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 15 (Thursday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 16 (Friday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
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.
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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April 2023 - George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Monday, April 17, 2023, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 18, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
June 2023 - Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida
June 14 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 5:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
June 15 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
July 2023 – Evergreen Country Day School, Denver, CO
July 6 (Thursday), 8:30am – 5:30pm MST (60-minute lunch)
July 7 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm MST (60-minute lunch
August 2023 – Miramonte Christian School, Los Altos, California
August 2 (Wednesday), 8:30am – 5:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August 3 (Thursday), 8:30am – 3:30pm PST (60-minute lunch)
August/September 2023 – Doolittle Institute, Niceville, FL
August 31 (Thursday), 8:30am – 5:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 1 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm CST (60-minute lunch)
September 2023 – FIRST Headquarters, NH
September 21 (Thursday), 8:30am – 5:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
September 22 (Friday), 8:30am – 3:30pm EST (60-minute lunch)
$500 per seat *Starting May 1, 2023, $600 per Seat
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August Remote Cohort 1 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 7 (Monday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August 8 (Tuesday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
August 19 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
August 26 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
September Remote Cohort 1 – 7 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3.5 weeks (14 hours)
September 12 & September 14 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 19 & September 21 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September 26 & September 28 (Tuesday/Thursday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
October 3 (Tuesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
September Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
September 16 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
September 23 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
October Remote Cohort – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
October 5 (Thursday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
October 6 (Friday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
January 2024 Remote Cohort – 7 two-hour sessions, 2 days a week for 3.5 weeks (14 hours)
January 17 (Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 22 & January 24 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
January 29 & January 31 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
February 5 & February 7 (Monday/Wednesday), 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 1 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 3 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 10 (Saturday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 2024 Remote Cohort 2 – 2 seven and a half-hour day (14 contact hours, 30-minute lunch)
February 15 (Thursday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
February 16 (Friday), 11:00am – 6:30pm EST
FIRST Tech Challenge Academy: By the end of your four-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.
$2500 per seat
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June 2023 - FTC ACADEMY- Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida
June 12 (Monday), 8:00am – 5:00pm EST
June 13 (Tuesday), 8:00am – 5:00pm EST
June 14 (Wednesday), 8:00am – 5:00pm EST
June 15 (Thursday), 8:00am – 5:00pm EST
June 16 (Friday), 8:00am – 5:00pm EST
Register for FIRST Certified Professional Development
FIRST Certified Trainers Application Now CLOSED
Please look for the application again next year, 2023. Certified trainers deliver professional development for FIRST programs. We provide STEM professional development related to FIRST programs and curricula in all 50 U.S. States and Canada.