The History of the FIRST Competition

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. Based in Manchester, NH, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the nonprofit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO^TM League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics Competition go to www.usfirst.org.

This is the ninth year that NASA Langley, the VCU School of Engineering, and generous community partners have joined forces with FIRST to host the regional robotics competition in Richmond, Virginia.