About FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international nonprofit founded in 1989 by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen. Its mission is to inspire young people to become leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on robotics programs that build technical skills, confidence, and teamwork.

FIRST now runs a progression of programs for students of all ages, including the FIRST® LEGO® League, FIRST® Tech Challenge, and the FIRST® Robotics Competition - the program Cupertino Robotics participates in. Each challenge asks students to design, build, and program a robot to complete real-world inspired tasks, all while practicing problem solving, creativity, and gracious professionalism.

FIRST competitions push students to think boldly, iterate quickly, and work collaboratively. The hours spent brainstorming, prototyping, machining, coding, and testing lead not only to capable robots, but to stronger leaders, teammates, and innovators. The true “win” in FIRST isn’t a trophy - it’s the growth, friendships, and confidence students gain along the way.

To learn more about FIRST and its programs, visit firstinspires.org.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

For ages 4–12, students design, build, and program an autonomous LEGO® robot to solve themed challenges. Along the way, they learn teamwork, problem-solving, and foundational engineering skills.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
For ages 14–18, students build robots using TETRIX and custom parts to compete in head-to-head matches. FTC emphasizes engineering design, programming, community outreach, and leadership development.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
For high school students, FRC teams design, build, and program large industrial-scale robots in a two-month season before competing against teams worldwide. Students collaborate in large groups, develop a team identity, and learn technical and business skills.