Learning Skills for Your Team and Gaining Industry Certifications

Jul 12, 2023 Written by Lori Birch, Senior Specialist, Education Workforce Development

In this blog, we will cover how to help your team increase knowledge and improve students’ learning for future careers by explaining resources available for students to gain industry credentials.

Summer Learning to Support Your Career Path and Help Your Team

Jun 28, 2023 Written by Lori Birch, Senior Specialist, Education Workforce Development

If you want content to keep students engaged in the off-season, the Thinkscape courses are designed to help students gain skills to support their FIRST team within the team role.

 

Kelly Ortberg

Michael Shea
Vice President, Program Delivery FIRST 

Michael Shea joined FIRST in 2023 as the new Vice President of Program Delivery. During his career, Michael has served in a variety of commercial operations leadership positions within large global healthcare organizations, including Zimmer Biomet, Anika Therapeutics, and Sekisui Diagnostics. Prior to that, he spent time in the tech and management consulting industries where he had responsible for strategic planning and large project implementation. The primary focus of Michael’s career has been partnering with field teams to improve collaboration, execution, and effectiveness within high growth and complex environments.

Michael is a native of Boston and currently lives in North Andover, Massachusetts, where he resides with his wife, Amy; son, Jackson; and beloved dog, Alfred. He received his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College in Business Management and has an MBA from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Registration is Open!

May 23, 2023 Written by Collin Fultz, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Program Director

Registration for the 2024 FIRST® Robotics Competition season, CRESCENDOSM presented by Haas, officially opened on Wednesday, May 17! We also wanted to let you know of two exciting changes for registration.

Lights, Camera, STEAM! FIRST Announces 2023-2024 Youth Robotics Season, FIRST IN SHOW presented by Qualcomm Incorporated

Qualcomm Announced as Presenting Sponsor of the Arts and Entertainment-Themed Season, Inspiring Young People to Discover the Roles STEM Skills Play in the Arts

Season to Conclude with Return to Houston for International 2024 FIRST Championship

 

Expanding the Kit of Parts

May 15, 2023 Written by Collin Fultz, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Program Director and Ted Hood, Kit of Parts Engineer

We are so excited for CRESCENDOSM presented by Haas, but before we get there, we have off-season events to attend, game details to finalize, and an exciting announcement to make!

Celebrate the Class of 2023

May 09, 2023 Written by Michelle Long, Director of Alumni Relations

Class of 2023: CONGRATULATIONS. We, across FIRST, are so proud of all that you have accomplished so far and all that you will accomplish in the future. You have made it through the most tumultuous years of high school that anyone could imagine. We are so proud to have you as a member of the FIRST community, and we look forward to being with you as you step into adulthood and become a FIRST alum.

Championship Reflections

May 03, 2023 Written by Collin Fultz, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Program Director

Nearly 50,000 people came to the 2023 FIRST® Championship presented by BAE Systems. With 619 teams in FIRST® Robotics Competition alone, it took a massive effort from our dedicated staff and nearly 1,000 volunteers to put on the event. To all who helped make the 2023 season an impactful reality, thank you!

Record-Breaking Crowds Celebrate Youth Robotics Teams & STEM Innovation at FIRST® Championship in Houston

Record-Breaking Crowds Celebrate Youth Robotics Teams & STEM Innovation at FIRST® Championship in Houston

More than 18,000 Students from 59 Countries Competed with Team-Built Robots and Showcased Innovation Skills with Support from Presenting Sponsor BAE Systems and Other Global Brands Event Celebrates Conclusion of 2022-2023 Robotics Season, FIRST® ENERGIZESM Presented by Qualcomm Incorporated

 

Applications For the 2023 FIRST® x UNCF Scholars Program Are Now Open!

MANCHESTER, NH, April 14, 2023 – FIRST®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, today announced the second year of the partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund), to make scholarships available to students who are pursuing undergraduate programs in their field of choice at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).