What is FIRST?
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.
It is an international nonprofit that runs robotics programs for students from elementary school through high school. FIRST holds two philosophies that are emphasized as guiding principles for all events and participants.
Gracious Professionalism®
is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
Through Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain coexist. Participants compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy. There is no trash talking, nor disingenuous platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy blend comfortably.
Coopertition®
fosters innovation by promoting unqualified kindness and respect in the face of intense competition.
At FIRST, Coopertition means teams help and cooperate with each other, even as they compete. It’s about learning from teammates, teaching others, collaborating with mentors, managing, and being managed. Coopertition embodies the spirit of competing while assisting and enabling others whenever possible.
What is FRC?
FIRST runs several programs for various age groups. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is oriented towards ages 14-18.
FRC is the high school robotics program under FIRST. It’s often described as the “varsity sport for the mind.”
Teams build industrial-sized, ~120-lb robots to compete against other teams in a brand new set of challenges each year, announced in early January during Kickoff.
Key features of FRC:
- Teams have about 6–8 weeks to design, build, and program their robot.
- Robots compete on a field in 3-team alliances (3v3).
- Competitions include qualification matches, playoffs, and judged awards.
- Robots use professional-level components: pneumatics, brushless motors, vision systems, sensors, and more.