This year, FIRST^® Tech Challenge students will grow their STEM skills in an unforgettable oceans-inspired robotics season! In the 2024-2025 FIRST^® DIVE^SM season 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 heathy oceans.

We’re exploring the future with the 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge game, INTO THE DEEP^SM presented by RTX, at the season kickoff celebration and game reveal on September 7, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Students around the world will be challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge.

The season launch will be streamed LIVE on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube channel.

Sign up for a tune-in reminder or find a local kickoff event.

Through the generous support from 3M, FIRST^®-related DonorsChoose project funding is now available to any U.S.-based full-time educators and school district employees who work directly with students at least 75% of the time from Public Schools, Public Charter Schools, Head Start Centers, and Bureau of Indian Education Schools.

FIRST Educators will create a project on DonorsChoose. Once the project is live, they must complete a DonorsChoose form to be considered for this selective funding opportunity.

Projects will be reviewed to ensure they meet donor intent and partial funding will be allocated accordingly. Equity Focus Projects will be prioritized as part of 3M's commitment to reach 5 million underserved and underrepresented students by 2025. 

Read more about the DonorsChoose funding >>

Joe is a FIRST volunteer and mentor in Swansboro, North Carolina. A retired engineer from DuPont with several patents to his name, Joe's wealth of knowledge inspires students to be innovative, creative thinkers who aren't afraid to make mistakes. 

Read more about Joe on the FIRST Community Blog >>  

Get a head start on planning for the future during National Make-A-Will month. Now is the perfect time to reflect on your legacy and how you can support the causes you care about. To help you get started, we’re offering a free Estate Planning Guide. This resource will walk you through the process of leaving assets to both your loved ones and your favorite nonprofit organizations, like FIRST.

Download your guide today and start planning a meaningful legacy with lasting impact that supports your values and future generations.

Read more on legacy giving >>

Our suite of FIRST programs align with numerous national educational standards from kindergarten through high school. These standards are set by the federal government to ensure that students are meeting learning objectives through connected learning principles.

FIRST has aligned the FIRST DIVE season's ocean theme with the national education standards so educators can provide a new and relevant approach to reaching those standards. 

Read more about the alignment of theme to standards >>