Inspire

Welcome to Inspire, a blog from FIRST.

After years of inspiring young people, as well as the adults who work with them, we decided it was time to share some of the things that inspire us.


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Meet the 2022 Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program Honorees

May 02, 2022 Written by FIRST Staff

We are proud to announce our 10 honorees for the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program, a cohort of PreK-12 educators who engage students in STEM through classroom or afterschool activities and demonstrate an outstanding commitment to expanding access to FIRST programs.

Five Activities to Celebrate National Robotics Week

Apr 01, 2022 Written by Tammy Pankey, FIRST Sr. Manager of Curriculum

Looking for activities to do with your students during National Robotics Week (April 3-9)? The FIRST Education Team shares four activities to help you celebrate the fun of robotics. 

2022-2023 FIRST Team Registration Pricing

Mar 21, 2022 By Chris Rake, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

FIRST will adjust 2022-2023 season registration fees so that we can continue to create and deliver high-impact programs and events while investing in our global community’s future.

How the Sport of FIRST is More Than Robots

Mar 18, 2022 By Chris Moore, Chief Executive Officer, FIRST

Our global robotics community is featured in the original documentary “More Than Robots,” now streaming on Disney+, which captures the excitement, heart, and hope of the unique FIRST® experience. FIRST CEO Chris Moore reflects on what makes the sport of FIRST truly More Than RobotsSM.

2022 Woodie Flowers Grant Recipient Announced

Feb 04, 2022 Written by FIRST Staff

To honor the legacy of gifted and beloved professor and FIRST Distinguished Advisor Woodie Flowers, the Woodie Flowers Memorial Grant awards one initial, renewable grant of $10,000 to a FIRST student. This year’s recipient is six-year FIRST participant Megan Volkening.

Ensuring All Students Have a Place: The 2021-2022 Youth Advisory Committee

Jan 24, 2022 Written by FIRST Staff

FIRST students utilize their skillsets to empower their communities and the greater global FIRST community. Meet the 2021-2022 FIRST Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Youth Advisory Committee, formed to help inspire youth voice and leadership within FIRST.

Disney, Lucasfilm, and FIRST Join Forces Once Again to Inspire Young Innovators and Expand Access to STEM Education

Jan 08, 2022 By FIRST Staff

Disney, Lucasfilm and FIRST continue their partnership to bring more hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship to the next generation, empowering them to become heroes, innovators, and forces for good through a new initiative, Build the Future powered by Star Wars: Force for Change.

Inspiring the Future with 5th Grade Teacher Kristin Jacques

Dec 08, 2021 Written by FIRST Staff

Christa McAuliffe’s “Teacher in Space” legacy has inspired a new generation of educators. Kristin Jacques is a former student of Christa’s and a 5th grade teacher in New Hampshire. Kristin shares what inspires her and how she hopes to carry on Christa’s legacy.  

Remembering “Mom of FIRST” Evelyn Kamen

Dec 02, 2021 By Dean Kamen, Founder, FIRST

FIRST founder Dean Kamen remembers his mother, Evelyn Kamen, who passed away on Thanksgiving evening at age 96. Evelyn was a schoolteacher who raised four children and inspired hundreds of thousands more through her classrooms and her contributions to FIRST.

Five FIRST-inspired Classroom Activities for Computer Science Education Week

Nov 30, 2021 By Tammy Pankey, FIRST Sr. Manager of Curriculum, and Libby Simpson, FIRST Education Director

Looking for activities to do with your students during Computer Science Education Week (December 6-10)? The FIRST Education team shares five FIRST-inspired activities to help you celebrate the fun of learning computer science in your classroom.