FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that build not only science and technology skills and interests, but also self-confidence, leadership, and life skills.

Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.

Based in Manchester, NH, the non-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. Recently, Brandeis University’s Center for Youth and Communities conducted an independent, retrospective survey of FIRST Robotics Competition participants and compared results to a group of non-FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, including math and science. Highlights of the study’s findings include:

When compared with the comparison group, FIRST students are:  More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering. Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year. Significantly more are likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree. More than twice as many are likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology. Nearly 4 times as many are likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.

The dream of FIRST is to one day, have science and technology clubs at schools as big as sports are at most. Already, there are some schools where robotics is bigger than that school's most popular sport.

But, you know what they say...everything's bigger in Alaska! (Even if that means Dave Patterson)

The Anchorage FLL/JFLL regional is the largest in the world, and we make a priority to attend every year and volunteer to help out with it. It's a massive undertaking that even Mr. Dave Patterson, can't do it all himself. Up here in Alaska, we have numerous FLL and JFLL teams, a few FVC teams, and three FRC teams. Due to the lack of population up here, the distance, and the cold weather; being a team up here certainly does present its challenges.

The three FRC teams are Team 568, Team 1544 at Bartlett High School, and Team 1548 at Highland Tech High.

All three teams recieve funding from AREA. The non-profit Alaska Robotics Education Association has board members from each team on it.