FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills
Vision
To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
-Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST
Mission
Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
In 1989, Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a program for students to get people interested in science, technology, and engineering. One competition started and run by FIRST is the FRC or FIRST Robotics Competition. In 2011, it held 55 regional competitions around the globe, and one international competition in St. Louis, MO. Kamen remains the driving force behind the organization, providing over 2,500 high schools with the tools needed to learn valuable engineering skills.[citation needed] FIRST has gained a great deal of publicity from companies such as Autodesk, BAE Systems, Bausch and Lomb, CNN, General Electric, General Motors, Google, Microsoft, National Instruments, Coca-Cola, Boston Gears, Motorola, Delphi, Kodak, Johnson and Johnson, Rockwell Automation, Xerox, Harris, Underwriter's Laboratories, Microchip, Caterpillar and PTC as well as many Universities and colleges.
Kamen says that the FIRST competition is the invention he is most proud of, and predicts that the 1 million students who have taken part in the contests so far will be responsible for some significant technological advances in years to come.
Dean Kamen.
Dean L. Kamen (born April 5, 1951) is an American entrepreneur and inventor from New Hampshire.
Born in Rockville Centre, New York, he attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, but dropped out before graduating after five years of private advanced research for drug infusion pump AutoSyringe. He is the son of Jack Kamen, an illustrator for Mad, Weird Science and other EC Comics publications.
What is FIRST®?
Impact
(Brandeis University Study)
FIRST Participants are:
- 50% more likely to attend college
- Twice as likely to go on to major in science or engineering
- Three times as likely to major specifically in engineering
Upon entering college, they are:
- Ten times as likely to have an intership with a company
- Four times more likey to expect to pursue a career in science and engineering
- Yourg women are four times more likey to go on to studies in science and engineering
- Minority members of FIRST teams are more than twice as likely to enter these fields
FIRST® Scope
- 294,000+ young people in 50+ countries
- 51,000 mentors/adult supporters
- 50,000 other Volunteers
- Nearly $14 million in scholarships from 130 providers
Sport For The Mind™
- Gracious Professionalism™
- Co-operate while competing (Cooperation™)
- "Play with the Pros" working with mentors
- Hands-on learning
- Real-world application of Scince, Technology. Engineering, and Math concepts
- Atomosphere of team building, entrepreneur, sportmanship, and fun
Support Our Mission
You can help support our mission by: Coaching or mentoring a team; hosting or organizing a local event; volunteering at an event; attending an event and cheering on our teams; spreading the word about FIRST; sponsoring FIrst programs, teams, or local efforts in your region; or by simply making donations...
Visit www.usfirst.org
Learn More About FIRST
Learn more about FIRST programs and volunteer opportunities; find an event near you; or subscribe to our quartely Newsletter...
Visit www.usfirst.org
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