FIRST Australia
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We Are The World's Leading Non-Profit Advancing STEM Education
Through a progression of team-based robotics challenges and backed by a global network of mentors, coaches, volunteers, alumni and sponsors, FIRST helps young people discover a passion for STEM and develop the skills they'll need to succeed in today's competitive workforce.
Founded in the USA in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST is a global nonprofit organisation that prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programs building skills, confidence and resilience. FIRST Australia was established at Macquarie University in 2006 and since has partnered with organisations, corporate entities, schools and universities to host teams and competitions across all Australian states and territories.
Through a suite of inclusive team-based robotics programs for ages 4 - 18 and backed by a global network of mentors, coaches, volunteers, alumni and sponsors, FIRST has a proven impact on learning, interest and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom. For 30 years, students from all walks of life have developed self-confidence in STEM and valuable, real-world skills through FIRST that open pathways to a better future.
FIRST Programs
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FIRST LEGO League
Ages 4 - 16
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FIRST LEGO League guides youth through STEM learning and exploration at an early age. From Discover, to Explore and then to Challenge, students will understand the basics of STEM and apply their skills in an exciting competition while gaining productive learning habits, confidence, and teamwork skills along the way.
FIRST Tech Challenge
Ages 12 - 18
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FIRST Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Ages 14 - 18
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Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
"FIRST is More Than Robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect - of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future."
Dean Kamen, Founder
Pioneered in Australia by
