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Donate Find Teams & Events
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Explore and Choose a FIRST® Program

Explore our robotics and STEM education offerings to find the best fit for your student, classroom, or organization. From classroom-scale to small group team options, all FIRST® programs spark creativity, promote teamwork, and develop students’ confidence and STEM skills.
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Why Choose FIRST?

Real Impact, Lasting Benefits

FIRST programs are More Than Robots®. See how our approach to STEM education using thrilling robotics challenges makes STEM learning fun and sets up students for long-term success.
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Hands-On Learning

Students apply science, technology, engineering, and math in real-world challenges. They design, build, and problem-solve as part of a team – gaining skills they can use for life.
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Proven STEM Outcomes

Studies show FIRST participants are more likely to pursue STEM majors and careers. Our programs deliver measurable, lasting results.
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Mentor Support and Resources

Resources at every level help coaches and mentors plan their season, run team meetings, and provide all students with a meaningful experience. Technical experience is not required to mentor FIRST programs.
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Signature Set of Core Values

The FIRST Core Values are fundamental to FIRST and emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement.
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Work-Based Learning

Students gain authentic, real-world teamwork and problem-solving skills through robotics challenges designed to help them explore careers and build an understanding of technical concepts.
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Safe, Supportive STEM Environment

FIRST is dedicated to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for young participants globally. The Youth Protection Program sets standards of behavior for adults and youth participating in FIRST, raises awareness about how to foster safe environments, and provides ways to report concerns and issues about safety.
FIRST Program Options

Find the Right Program for Your Student(s)

Our K-12 programs are designed to engage and excite students at every level. FIRST programs offer flexible team-based experiences that promote collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation through robotics and engineering activities for students.

Children can join any of our three programs based on age or grade level. Ages may vary by region.

  • FIRST® LEGO® League

    Ages 5-16* | Grades K-8

    Introduce STEM Concepts with FIRST® LEGO® League

    FIRST® LEGO® League offers age-appropriate STEM experiences for kids ages 5-16* through playful robotics and team-based learning. Materials help guide coaches, educators, and students through a series of sessions centered around a yearly theme. The program can be run as a small team or in a classroom-like environment. *Ages vary by country.

    Visit Program Details
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  • FIRST® Tech Challenge

    Ages 12-18 | Grades 7-12

    Ignite Students’ Innovative Thinking with FIRST® Tech Challenge

    FIRST® Tech Challenge participants design and build a classroom-scale robot and compete in a yearly challenge. Along the way, they gain technical skills and work collaboratively to solve problems. Materials include robot build guides, game manuals, and a coach handbook to help guide the experience.

    Visit Program Details
    FTC working on their robot

  • FIRST® Robotics Competition

    Ages 14-18 | Grades 9-12

    Immerse Students in Complex Real-world Engineering Challenges with FIRST® Robotics Competition

    FIRST® Robotics Competition empowers and challenges students to build industrial-sized robots to play in a yearly game. As they work together to create a team identity, build a robot, and advance appreciation for STEM in their community, they learn about career opportunities and leave with lifelong skills. Materials include a standard Kit of Parts, coach and mentor guidance, and robot building and programming documentation.

    Visit Program Details
    FRC team working on robot
Ages 5-16* | Grades K-8

Introduce STEM Concepts with FIRST® LEGO® League

FIRST® LEGO® League offers age-appropriate STEM experiences for kids ages 5-16* through playful robotics and team-based learning. Materials help guide coaches, educators, and students through a series of sessions centered around a yearly theme. The program can be run as a small team or in a classroom-like environment. *Ages vary by country.

Visit Program Details
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Ages 12-18 | Grades 7-12

Ignite Students’ Innovative Thinking with FIRST® Tech Challenge

FIRST® Tech Challenge participants design and build a classroom-scale robot and compete in a yearly challenge. Along the way, they gain technical skills and work collaboratively to solve problems. Materials include robot build guides, game manuals, and a coach handbook to help guide the experience.

Visit Program Details
FTC working on their robot
Ages 14-18 | Grades 9-12

Immerse Students in Complex Real-world Engineering Challenges with FIRST® Robotics Competition

FIRST® Robotics Competition empowers and challenges students to build industrial-sized robots to play in a yearly game. As they work together to create a team identity, build a robot, and advance appreciation for STEM in their community, they learn about career opportunities and leave with lifelong skills. Materials include a standard Kit of Parts, coach and mentor guidance, and robot building and programming documentation.

Visit Program Details
FRC team working on robot

More About Traditional FIRST Teams

Traditional FIRST teams are started by parents, caregivers, educators, and community members. Teams can participate in events held by local FIRST Program Delivery Partners and can advance to regional or national championships.

Programs supported: FIRST LEGO League Explore, FIRST LEGO League Challenge, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Competition 
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More About FIRST Class Pack

FIRST Class Pack is a flexible curricular option that brings the excitement of competition to a school or organization. Culminating Class Pack celebration events are run by the host school or organization once their participants have completed the program and participants do not advance to regional or national championships. 

Serving up to 8 students per Class Pack: FIRST LEGO League Discover

Serving up to 24 students per Class Pack: FIRST LEGO League Explore, FIRST LEGO League Challenge, and FIRST Tech Challenge 
Students work with FIRST LEGO League materials in the classroom

Take Your Next Step

Sign up to get more information on one (or more) FIRST program registration options or head straight to the FIRST Dashboard to start creating your team or Class Pack today.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my child to a team?

Due to our privacy policy, we are unable to provide contact information for teams. However, you can search for local teams and use their team email address (if provided) to see if they are accepting new members. We also recommend checking with local libraries, schools, and youth organizations that may be interested in starting a FIRST program. 

Do I need STEM experience to participate?

We believe everyone can start and coach a FIRST program. Some programs, like FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition, benefit from having a coach or mentor with technical expertise, but it is not required to participate. If you are a parent, educator, or someone who wants to make an impact, there is a way for you to contribute – no engineering experience required.

Can anyone start a FIRST program? Can I start a team if there isn’t one nearby?

Yes! If you don’t see a team in your area or have access to a Class Pack in a school-like setting, you can absolutely start one. FIRST provides resources and step-by-step guidance to help you create and run a FIRST program at your child’s school or in your community. Many FIRST teams are started by parents, teachers, or community leaders who want to create more STEM opportunities for young people.

Can my FIRST Class Pack students compete at a local FIRST event?

FIRST Class Pack students participate in an event run by their school or organization. To participate in a local FIRST event against other traditional teams, please register a FIRST traditional team in addition to your Class Pack.

Does FIRST have grant funding to cover the cost of registration and materials?

We recommend checking out the team grant opportunities to explore available grants and reaching out to your FIRST Program Delivery Partner who may have details on local availability. Our fundraising toolkit is also a great resource for ideas and strategies.