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.
Learn more about Inspire.
How our Learning Differences are our Super Powers
Jun 18, 2019 By Kenny Bae, FIRST Tech Challenge Coach & Physics Teacher, Wolcott School, Chicago
Kenny Bae, FIRST coach and physics teacher for Wolcott School, a Chicago school that supports students with learning differences, shares how his students’ strengths have helped them succeed in FIRST, create innovative projects to make STEM more accessible, and build self-confidence.
How to Encourage Youth to Pursue Manufacturing, Middle-Skills Careers
May 29, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President
FIRST President Don Bossi explores how businesses can generate awareness about the possibilities provided by careers in manufacturing, including debunking common misconceptions about middle-skills careers and providing the training, education, and mentorship students need to be successful.
Kendrick Castillo and Team 4418 Update
May 14, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President
Dear FIRST community,
The tragic death of Kendrick Castillo during the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in Colorado last week has continued to weigh heavily on my mind and many others in our FIRST community. Kendrick was an active member of FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4418, STEM IMPULSE. Read more here.
How I Inspire my Students Outside the Classroom
May 13, 2019 By FIRST Staff
For Teacher’s Appreciation Week, we caught up with Woodie Flowers Award winner and district-wide “Teacher of the Year” recipient Gail Drake. As a teacher and FIRST mentor, her goal is “to inspire kids to be the best that they can be, and to give them that feeling internally.”
A Message About the STEM School Highlands Ranch Shooting
May 09, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President
On Tuesday, the FIRST community lost one of its own. We are heartbroken by the death of Kendrick Castillo, a victim of the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado.
Broncos Star Casey Kreiter on Science and Competition in Football and Robotics
Apr 15, 2019 Written by FIRST Staff
As we prepare for the Super Bowl of robotics, FIRST Championship, we chatted with Casey Kreiter – Broncos long snapper, Pro Bowl star, science teacher and FIRST supporter – about connections between football and STEM and what makes robotics a great sport.
Why Every Community Needs Youth Robotics Teams
Apr 08, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President
For National Robotics Week, FIRST President Don Bossi explores why, thanks to two great viral news stories from FIRST teams and an exciting new campaign to support educators, our community has a lot to celebrate around raising awareness for the excitement and possibilities of robotics and STEM.
Corporate Goodness: 3 Reasons to Encourage Employees to Volunteer
Mar 25, 2019 By Mark Giordono, Vice President of Development, FIRST
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of FIRST, we’re also celebrating three decades of great corporate partners. Mark Giordono, vice president of development at FIRST, shares how corporate employees can be as valuable as checks to nonprofits, while turning employees into your best recruiters.
Being a Voice for Change for Women in STEM
Mar 07, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President
This International Women’s Day, we’re sharing a conversation between FIRST President Don Bossi and FIRST Canada VP of Partnerships Kim Cooper, who recently published a book about creating a more welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment for women in STEM: Girls in Science: Voices for Change.
Engineering Myself: Learning to Fail Better
Feb 19, 2019 By Julianna Schneider, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Global Challenge Participant
Understanding how to document and communicate your work to others effectively is a critical part of learning through the engineering design process. This Engineers Week, read how this paid off for FIRST participant Julianna Schneider and Team Albania at the FIRST Global Challenge.