FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multi-national, non profit organization which designs accessible, innovative programs to build self confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering.  Founder Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter, "...wanted to create a world where science and technology are celebrated...where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes..."  FIRST runs the Jr. FIRST Lego League - for children 6-9 years old, FIRST LEGO League - for children 9-14 years old, FIRST Tech Challenge, and the FIRST Robotics Competition - for high school students.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to design, assemble, and rehearse a robot that "plays" a game that is presented in January of each year.  In a six-week build phase, the robot is created following a common set of rules provided by FIRST.  Teams enter their robot in a series of regional competitions, hopefully qualifying for the National Competition at the Georgia Dome.  Each competition is an exciting experience that teams up mentors and young adults and test weeks of brainstorming, dedicated mentoring, and real-world teamwork in a high-tech sporting event. In 2010, the competitions involved more than 45,000 students from over 1500 multinational teams.

The program is life changing. career molding, and a lot of fun.  Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals provide scholarships to participants.  The competition demonstrates that the technological fields hold many opportunities for fulfillment and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and innovation are exciting and universal.

Check out http://www.usfirst.org/ to learn more! 

What does FIRST mean to Team 181?
Engineer Greg Andries: "FIRST has provided me an opportunity to work with students on 'real life' engineering problems.  The high school students are provided a unique opportunity to build a simple mechanical device out of raw materials.  I have really enjoyed working with the students, teachers, parents and fellow engineers on the FIRST program for the past five years.  The FIRST program has allowed me to learn more about myself, has helped me work better with others, and has taught my student teammates skills and knowledge that will become an important part of their life experience."

Alumna Melinda Guzman: "Dedication, commitment, responsibility. Through FIRST I have had an opportunity to really know what it means to be all of the above.  FIRST has made me more open minded and knowledgeable.  I was able to express my leadership skills and with that, I was able to learn that in my heart, I am a leader."

Alumna Tianna Glass: "Joining FIRST was a wonderful experience for me, because it taught me to open up as a person and stop being shy.  I earned a chance to participate and feel like a part of not only a team, but of a large and welcoming family."

Engineer Amy Brewer: "First, there is the excitement of the building of the robot, but after that wears off and burn out sets in, it is seeing the growth of the students during that short period that brings me back every year to do FIRST.  I enjoy watching how the engineers and students react with each other, and how the students learn to work together as a team.  I always find when I think this is my last year with FIRST, it is seeing what the students get out of the program that makes me return."

Engineer Ben Hall: "FIRST makes me feel guilty.  Am I supposed to get so much from this program?  I've learned new skills, made new friends, and had some of the best experiences of my life.  FIRST gives me the opportunity to work with students from Hartford who are outwardly so different from me, with students who initially intimidated me, with students who continue to challenge, frustrate, and inspire me.  I'm addicted.  I just hope that I can give to the students as much as they do to me."

Alumnus Khuong Vu: "FIRST is a program that has further expanded my horizons in engineering.  The preparation and actual building of the robot intrigued me to pursue my interest in this field.  FIRST has truly fulfilled its acronym.  It inspired me to recognize science and technology."

Engineer Gary Hilbert: "I believe in the FIRST concept of bringing students, teachers, and engineers together to work as a team on a fun, interesting and challenging project. I think everyone benefits and learns in many ways from these interactions.  For me personally, FIRST gives me the opportunity to remain connected with young people now that my own children have grown."

Alumnus Nery Cruz: "FIRST to me was the beginning of my career as an engineer.  It motivated me and guided me into the career path I'm currently on and influenced me in my choice of schools.  FIRST was also my family away from home. It taught me a lot about friendships, communication, conflicts, and most of all how to have fun and still do something that is worthwhile.  I love my Birds of Prey family and will always be a bird of prey in heart."

Alumni Heriberto "Eddie" Rodriguez: "To me, personally, FIRST has been an inspiration.  It has changed my life completely.  I went from being a "C-D" to a straight "A" student; from wanting to become an accountant to being an undergraduate student at CCSU, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with a GPA of 3.2.  If it weren't for FIRST, I would probably be working in a minimum wage paying job.  Thank you, FIRST."

Engineer Jennifer Hall: "Two years ago, a good friend told me of a volunteer program he was in and how amazing and fun it was despite all the long hours and hard work.  I thought he was crazy.  His enthusiasm and dedication to these kids and the program persuaded me to give it a shot last year and he was right!  It was hard work, but a lot of fun!  Since then, these kids and the program has become a big part of my life.  They remind me of why I chose to be an engineer in the first place - the hands on experience of making something out of nothing, the feeling of accomplishment at the end of six grueling weeks standing there looking at the final product, the fun of learning something new.  The friendships that are formed at FIRST are not only with the other volunteer engineers, but also with the all of the students.  It is rewarding to watch these kids learn and see them develop over the years into amazing young men and women."

Engineer Denman James: "Technically, FIRST is a program intended to interest high school students in science and technology; fortunately it turns out to be much more than that.  There is no other project that embodies learning, friendships and personal growth as much as the FIRST robotics program.  I have gained more personal satisfaction from working on our team than from any project that I have ever worked on."

Alumna Yeshiva Cohen: "FIRST meant a chance to do things that I wouldn't have had the ability to do otherwise.  I learned a lot of skills, not only how to use the tools, name the materials and build a robot, but also how to bend as part of a team, how to voice my opinion and how to get people motivated. It gave me a chance to be part of a team that didn't involve being athletic or having a specific talent.  Rather I was valued for being myself and being part of the whole.  It also gave me a chance to make awesome friends that I otherwise would have had nothing in common with, but because of this program, we will be friends for a very long time, and we will always be Birds of Prey.  FIRST is one of my best high school memories, and I'm thankful for every experience, even the ones that didn't go so well.  FIRST is a truly unique, life changing experience, and one that I am always going to have fond memories."