Inspiring the Future Generation of Engineers: From its beginning in 1992 with 28 teams in a New Hampshire high-school gym, FIRST has grown to reach over 195,000 boys and girls in 42 countries

Science, math and technology have been struggling with an image problem. For some time now, our culture has glorified the worlds of sports and entertainment, leading children to believe that these were their only options for greatness. We've neglected to show our young people how critically important science, math and engineering are to our solving the world's greatest challenges, and that this work is exciting, rewarding and they do get to be a superstar in a different way. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has been working to transform this culture. FIRST's 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..