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Classroom-to-Career Resources

Implementing FIRST® in Career and Technical Education

FIRST empowers students through leadership, career exploration, and hands-on learning that align with CTE pathways.
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FIRST Learning Pathways

Explore our learning pathway levels below, designed for implementation across classrooms, afterschool programs, or independent learning environments. FIRST students engage in coursework across career clusters—such as engineering, manufacturing, and instructional technology—gaining hands-on experience through robotics and project-based learning.

These pathways help students build confidence, achieve technical skill attainment, and prepare for industry-recognized certifications. Aligned with Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards, our course levels support a progression from foundational exploration to advanced technical skills and community-driven capstone work. Within the course overviews, you will find links to FIRST training materials and standards alignments, enabling teachers to design custom programs based on their available hardware.
Level 1: Foundational Courses

Click the title of each course description to view the course outline

Intro to Engineering & Robotics

Prerequisite – None

Equipment requirements – XRP Robot or FIRST® Robotics Competition Kitbot, or FIRST® Tech Challenge Competition Set

This year-long introductory course engages students in hands-on engineering through mechanical design, electronics, programming, and problem-solving activities using authentic FIRST robotics platforms. Students develop foundational skills in CAD, prototyping, data collection, and mechanical systems while learning the full engineering design process—from defining problems to testing and iterating solutions. 

The course is designed for maximum flexibility and can be implemented with XRP, FIRST Tech Challenge, or FIRST Robotics Competition hardware, allowing educators to tailor the experience to their classroom resources. 

 Intro to Robotics Programming 

Prerequisite – None

Equipment requirements – XRP Robot or FIRST Robotics Competition Kitbot, or FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Set 

This year-long introductory course engages students in the logic of robotics through a flexible "level-up" approach. Students begin with Block-based logic and transition to Text-based scripting (Python) or Object-Oriented Programming (Java) using authentic FIRST platforms. Beyond basic syntax, students explore how robots interact with the broader digital world—from analyzing sensor data patterns to understanding the wireless networking protocols that enable remote control.  

Work-Based Learning Level 1

See FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition Work-Based Learning Toolkits.

Level 2: Intermediate Courses

Click the title of each course description to view the course outline

Engineering & Robotics II

Prerequisite –  Intro to Engineering and Robotics 

Equipment requirements –  FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Kit, FIRST Robotics Competition Robot, Design and Fabrication Equipment (3D Printers, CNC, or other Metal Fabrication)  

Engineering & Robotics II is an advanced, project-based course that builds on engineering design, robotics, programming, and documentation foundations established in Intro to Engineering & Robotics. Students engage in deeper engineering challenges that require integration of mechanical design, advanced electronics, automation, sensors, control theory, and software development.

Learners apply industry-relevant engineering practices, including systems engineering, advanced CAD modeling, rapid prototyping, and data-driven optimization. The course culminates in a semester-long team engineering project or competition-style challenge using FIRST platforms such as FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition. This course prepares students for advanced CTE pathways in Engineering, Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Mechatronics

Programming with Machine Learning and AI

Prerequisite –  Intro to Robotics Programming  

Equipment requirements –  XRP Red Vision Kit or Husky Lens, FIRST Tech Challenge Kit with Camera, FIRST Robotics Competition Robot with Camera 

This advanced course challenges students to move beyond scripted responses toward autonomous intelligence. Students will focus on high-speed data processing, advanced path planning, and computer vision. The course emphasizes Industry 4.0 standards, requiring students to build robust, fault-tolerant systems ready for FIRST Competition championship-level play and professional technical careers.  

Work-Based Learning Level 2

See FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition Work-Based Learning Toolkits.

Level 3: Advanced Courses

Click the title of each course description to view the course outline

Industry 4.0 and Robotics

Prerequisite – Intro to Robotics Programming or Intro to Engineering and Robotics and Engineering and Robotics II or Programming with Machine Learning and AI.  

Equipment requirements –  XRP, FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Kit, or FIRST Robotics Competition Robot and Design and Fabrication Equipment (3D Printers, CNC, or other Metal Fabrication) 

In this course, students will develop an industrial style robot and learn knowledge that aligns to the SME Robotics Fundamentals and Manufacturing Certification or AMTEC Emerging Technicians Certification. Students will design a robotic factory which moves products from one area to another. Groups in the class will utilize robots to automate the production process using manufacturing techniques and manufacturing style robots.  

CNC Fabrication and Lean Manufacturing

Pre-requisites – Intro to Engineering and Robotics and Engineering and Robotics II or Industry 4.0 and Robotics

Equipment Requirements – Industrial CNC Machines such as Haas

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of CNC technology while developing hands-on skills with a CNC lathe and CNC milling machine. As a FIRST program, students have access to industry-recognized certifications through our sponsors, see the industry certifications page for these sponsorships. This curriculum serves as a professional pathway for students to gain workforce-ready skills while fulfilling essential technical roles on their FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge teams.

If instructors do not have immediate access to machines in their facility, they are encouraged to partner with a local community college or authorized testing center to provide students with hands-on certification opportunities.

Work-Based Learning Level 3

See FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition Work-Based Learning Toolkits.

Level 4: Capstone Course

Capstone Course

Prerequisite –  2 years of an Engineering or Programming Pathway 

Equipment requirements – FIRST Robotics Competition Team, or FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Team

FIRST CTE Capstone is a culminating, project-based engineering experience in which students apply advanced technical, leadership, and project management skills to design, build, program, manufacture, and compete with an industrial-scale robotic system.

Students operate as a professional engineering team using authentic industry workflows including systems engineering, CAD/CAM manufacturing, embedded programming, electrical integration, quality control, data-driven optimization, documentation management, and stakeholder presentation.

The course mirrors real-world product development cycles, requiring students to manage budgets, timelines, risk mitigation, testing protocols, and iterative refinement. Through participation in a FIRST team, students demonstrate workforce readiness across Engineering, Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Mechatronics career pathways.

Have questions?

For more information or questions on implementing these courses, contact our education team at firsteducation@firstinspires.org.

Classroom-to-Career

Work-Based Learning Toolkits

Through guided mentorship, technical challenges, and iterative design, students gain essential employability skills—including communication, leadership, and project planning—that align with Perkins V accountability indicators. These experiences help students identify their interests, grow their confidence, and prepare for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand careers through internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications.

Whether implemented in classrooms, after-school programs, or independent learning environments, FIRST supports educators with comprehensive programs of study and curriculum-aligned toolkits that bring work-based learning to life.

If you would like more information on how to align your FIRST program with CTE and Perkins funding, please contact firsteducation@firstinspires.org.

 
FIRST Tech Challenge Toolkit FIRST Robotics Competition Toolkit
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Student Leadership

Leadership is at the heart of every FIRST program. Whether building a robot, mentoring younger students, or advocating for STEM in their communities, students involved in FIRST gain real-world leadership experience that prepares them for future careers and supports Career and Technical Education (CTE) outcomes.

Leadership at FIRST is fostered through:

  • Team-based collaboration and project ownership
  • Public speaking and communication opportunities
  • Community engagement and outreach
  • Mentorship and peer-to-peer learning
  • Initiative in fundraising, event planning, and team organization

In addition to these in-team opportunities, some students participate in regional student leadership boards. These boards, hosted by FIRST partners across the country, allow students to:

  • Collaborate with peers from other teams
  • Represent student voices in FIRST planning
  • Launch community initiatives and outreach campaigns
  • Gain experience in civic engagement and public leadership

Thinking about starting a board in your region?

Check our map to see if one already exists in your state. If one does not, the blog post "How to Build a Youth Advisory Council" offers a helpful guide. For more information and support, contact firsteducation@firstinspires.org.

student-leadership-boards

Awards & Recognition

FIRST programs offer a wide range of awards that serve as career development opportunities for students while working as part of a team. These awards do more than celebrate success at events; they help students showcase the real-world skills they’ve gained through their team and connect those skills to careers they may pursue in the future.

Awards vary by program and may include recognition for:

  • Engineering design and creativity
  • Community impact and outreach
  • Entrepreneurial thinking
  • Team collaboration and inclusion
  • Coding, design, and technical innovation

Each award encourages students to develop career-ready competencies such as problem-solving, communication, and project planning. These skills align with national CTE standards and help students prepare for college or the workforce.

Visit the FIRST Events page for more information on awards specific to each program.

Student Leadership

FIRST Leadership Award

One of the most prestigious honors across FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® Robotics Competition is the FIRST® Leadership Award. This award celebrates individual students who demonstrate leadership and commitment to FIRST Core Values, show exceptional technical expertise and passion for STEM, inspire others through creativity and dedication, and make meaningful contributions to their teams and communities. Students are nominated by their team mentors based on demonstrated leadership and dedication.
FIRST Tech Challenge Leadership Award FIRST Robotics Competition Leadership Award
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See the Power of FIRST

From college readiness to STEM careers, the impact of FIRST goes far beyond the classroom. Explore how students who used these lessons grow– and where their FIRST journey takes them. 
Explore FIRST Impact Classroom to Career