About FIRST

Founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), has created a lasting impact for nearly thirty years. Originally designed to encourage students to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), it has since expanded to provide important life skills as well.

The foundation of FIRST is also strongly based on concepts such as Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition. Gracious Professionalism works as a concept for a way of life. It encourages participants of FIRST to be gracious and respectful, yet still competing to the upmost of their ability against in each other. Similar to this concept, is FIRST's other statement, Coopertition. It encourages teams to be gracious competitors with each other, and cooperate even with each other during competition.