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 to Help Students Take the Lead in Their Learning Through Robotics
Aug 15, 2018 By Sherry Comer, Camdenton R-III Afterschool Services Director & Robotics CoachSherry Comer is the afterschool services director for Missouri’s sprawling, rural Camdenton R-III School District. She shares her strategies for using hands-on STEM programs to build kids into leaders who take charge of their own learning and gain skills to succeed in any field.
STEM: At the Crossroads of Traditional and Online Learning
Jul 16, 2018 By Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST
FIRST President Donald E. Bossi explores how online and “blended” learning is ushering a new wave of opportunity for educators, companies and all of us working to advance STEM education to equip students with meaningful tools and resources they need as a foundation for a brighter future.
Teamwork Makes Machines Work: Young Roboticists Power Up Their Peers at FIRST Robotics Championships
Jun 29, 2018 By Jennifer Deauville, NVIDIA
Nvidia, a FIRST sponsor, highlights young roboticists who are exploring artificial intelligence and virtual reality through FIRST – including FIRST Robotics Competition Dean’s List Award winner Grace Lam, who teaches workshops for other FIRST students on deep learning.
More Than Robots: Inspiring STEM Education and Life Skills via Robotics
Jun 21, 2018 By Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST
Originally published on eSchool News, FIRST President Donald E. Bossi shares three lessons from FIRST programs and events that can be applied to any classroom to help young people grow a lifelong love of exploration.
FIRST Alumni Make Manufacturing More Accessible with 3-D Printing Startup
Jun 14, 2018 By FIRST Staff
FIRST Alumni Jonathan Schwartz and Max Friefeld co-founded Voodoo Manufacturing, a Brooklyn-based robotics 3-D printing factory, after selling their first company to MakerBot. They shared what inspired Voodoo, advice for entrepreneurs, and what FIRST taught them about engineering, and teamwork.
These Young Innovators are Solving Global Water Challenges
Jun 07, 2018 By FIRST Staff
A travel device that cleans produce. An app that helps families conserve shower water. A kit that tests ocean water quality on-site. These are just a few inventions from the 20 FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award Semi-Finalists, who will be honored in a ceremony June 21 in San Jose, Calif.
Reaching Students with Special Needs Using Kinesthetic STEM Programs
May 23, 2018 By FIRST Staff
When the STEM director for New York City’s special education district sought kinesthetic programs to reach students with special needs, she partnered with FIRST NYC to pilot FIRST LEGO League Jr. The program has proven to be a tremendous success, including an annual expo at the NY Hall of Science.
What 15,000 Kids Taught Me About Creativity
May 10, 2018 By Steven W. Anderson, Learning Evangelist, Speaker, Author
After spending time with FIRST LEGO League teams at the 2018 FIRST Championship, educational consultant Steven W. Anderson shares how authentic learning tasks, problem solving and collaboration allows students’ creativity to flourish.
To Build Next-Gen STEM Leaders, Universities and Industry Must Collaborate
Apr 24, 2018 By Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST
Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST, highlights takeaways for university leaders from his recent SXSW EDU panel on non-profit and corporation partnerships, with help from Erica Fessia, Qualcomm’s director of community engagement, and Jay Flores, Rockwell Automation’s global STEM ambassador.
Afghanistan’s First Female Tech CEO on the Importance of Digital Literacy
Apr 17, 2018 By FIRST Staff
Serial entrepreneur Roya Mahboob mentors the acclaimed Afghan girls robotics team, which will be competing in FIRST Championship Detroit next week. Roya discusses her work in digital literacy for her nonprofit, Digital Citizen Fund, and the impact the “Afghan Dreamers” are having in Afghanistan.