For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

What is FIRST?

Founded by inventor Dean Kamen to turn young people on to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, FIRST designs accessible, motivational programs combining teamwork, competition, and just plain fun for young people ages 6 to 18. Teams in four different competition age groups, supported by more than 85,000 committed mentors, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors, accept the challenge to conduct research design, build, and compete with robots of their own creation under strict rules and time constraints.

FIRST and the Saint Louis Science Center

All robotics teams compete at local and regional events in cities throughout the world. The city of St. Louis has hosted FIRST Regional competitions for nine years and has hundreds of volunteers involved in all four programs within FIRST including: Junior FIRST LEGO® League; FIRST LEGO® League; FIRST Tech Challenge; and FIRST Robotics Competition. The local community, spearheaded by the Saint Louis Science Center, assists all of the local robotics teams with mentors, venues and financial support.

FIRST Championship Comes to St. Louis

Winning teams from each regional competition will have the opportunity to compete against the top teams from around the world during the FIRST Championship event in St. Louis on April 26th – 28th. With hundreds of robotics teams and thousands of young people participating, the FIRST® Championship

is the largest and most prestigious event of its kind. Last year’s event, brought 30,000 people and $22 million dollars in direct spending to the city, making this event on of the largest conventions hosted by the city of St. Louis in 2011.

For more detailed information about the FIRST program, or to find out how to get involved please visit the local FIRST website: www.stlouisfirst.org.

Upcoming Robotic Competitions

St. Louis FIRST  Regional
March 22 – 24, 2012
Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University

FIRST Championship
April 26 – 28, 2012
Edward Jones Dome and America’s Center

You are invited! All events are free and open to the public.

FIRST News

Visit the Science Center's YouTube Channel to follow the Science Center's team as it prepares for this year's competition.

Watch videos about FIRST, including a wrap-up of last years' championship and a message from Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas about what makes FIRST cool.