This month and every month, we celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. During this Pride Month, we'll use our platforms to amplify voices from the FIRST community and beyond.

Read more from LGBTQ+ advocate & FIRST supporter Joe Stanieich-Burke on five ways you can celebrate Pride Month and be a good ally >>

In POWERPLAY^SM presented by Raytheon Technologies, FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams will compete in an energy-driven game and test the limits of performance, efficiency, and endurance as they power their innovations forward. Team registration is now open in the FIRST Dashboard as part of the 2021-2022 FIRST^® ENERGIZE^SM presented by Qualcomm season.

Watch a POWERPLAY sneak peek on the FIRST Tech Challenge Game & Season page >>

The FIRST^® LEGO^® League Global Innovation Award presented by Qualcomm celebrates the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are developing solutions for today’s societal problems. Hosted by Innovation Ambassadors and former Finalists Arwen and Trevor, the award ceremony will broadcast live from Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, June 23.

FIRST announced the election of Martine Rothblatt, CEO, Chairperson, and Founder of United Therapeutics, to the organization’s Board of Directors. “Martine has an incredible legacy of STEM innovation, and we are ecstatic to have her join the FIRST Board of Directors,” said Kelly Ortberg, FIRST Board Chairman.

Read more about Martine and the Board in our press release >>

After being introduced to robotics in class, sixth-grader Lyla decided to take her STEM experience further by joining FIRST Tech Challenge Team 11618, “The Gremlins,” in Chelsea, Michigan. She had always liked problem-solving and was excited to learn how to drive a robot. Team mentors worked with the FIRST community to identify and adapt the best controller options for Lyla, who has quadriplegia. “[Our] mentors were very supportive and encouraging as I tried something new, and we all learned together,” said Lyla.

Read more about Lyla’s story >>