Our Robotics Community Prepares Young People for the Future

Our building comes alive in the evenings and on weekends with students who have a singular goal—building and coding the best possible robots while working under a deadline. Through robotics programs developed by FIRST, the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education, students gain hands-on experience in engineering, teamwork and problem-solving. We love witnessing our teams develop their skills every year. And we love that they'd still be testing their robots at 2 am if they could.

What is FIRST?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. FIRST inspires young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators 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 including self-confidence, communication and leadership.

Through a progression of team-based robotics challenges, FIRST helps young people discover a passion for STEM and develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in today’s competitive workforce.

Children can join any of three programs based on their age or grade level.

Robotics Programs for Every Age

FIRST® LEGO® League

GRADES

2-8

FIRST LEGO League introduces STEM to children through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Wisconsin FIRST LEGO League has two divisions to inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding and design skills: FLL Explore for students in grades 2-4 and FLL Challenge for students in grades 4-8.

Learn More about FLL

FIRST® Tech Challenge

GRADES

7-12

FIRST Tech Challenge students work together with their mentors to design and build robots to compete in a dynamic and exciting challenge released every September. Teams program classroom-scale robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches. On and off the field, students develop STEM skills, engage in community outreach, practice engineering innovation and build confidence to help them succeed.

Learn More about FTC

FIRST® Robotics Challenge

9-12

GRADES

Each January brings a new challenge for FIRST Robotics Competition teams. Starting with a Kit of Parts, they design, program and build industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed game on a themed field as part of a three-team alliance. Guided by mentors and sponsors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills as they compete for awards, create a team identity, raise funds, hone teamwork skills and advance appreciation for STEM in their community.

Learn More about FRC

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 with a vision, with confidence and with a sense that they can create their own future.”

Dean Kamen

Founder of FIRST

2024-2025 Season Theme

FIRST DIVE presented by Qualcomm

The ocean is more than what you can see on the horizon. Beneath the surface lies our planet’s most complex ecosystems, full of life and potential for exploration and learning, where each inhabitant has a role to play in building a thriving environment.

During the 2024- 2025 FIRST season, FIRST DIVE presented by Qualcomm, teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean. Along the way, we’ll uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world with healthy oceans. Join us as we explore the future.