Members of the all-girl FIRST^® Tech Challenge team “Nerdettes” in Alabama are working together to smash barriers and demonstrate that they are More Than “just girls in STEM.” In addition to competing at the 2022 FIRST^® Championship and expanding their technical and programming skills, members of the Nerdettes are building their self-confidence and using their collective experiences to empower other young girls in FIRST. Their achievements were recognized as part of the FIRST movement on NBC’s “TODAY.”

Watch the full “TODAY” segment, “Meet the all-girl team breaking barriers in robotics” >>

Thanks to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our outstanding FIRST mentors, we are able to provide life-changing STEM opportunities to hundreds of thousands of students around the world each season. In celebration of National #MentoringMonth, we asked FIRST mentors why they love mentoring, and they cited passing on knowledge to the next generation, getting to learn from students, inspiring others, and much more.

Read more about what FIRST mentors say about their experiences >>

Walt Disney Imagineers mentor FIRST teams and inspire students to cultivate their talents for incredible opportunities in the future. “So many of the things students do with FIRST translate directly to what we do here at Walt Disney Imagineering, and not just the technical skills, but the interpersonal and teamwork skills that have direct parallels to how we complete projects,” says Imagineer Greg Johnson.

Read more about the Imagineers and their work with FIRST teams on the Disney Parks blog >>

The Woodie Flowers Memorial Grant committee selected Kyran Siddiqui as this year’s grant recipient. Kyran is a ten-year FIRST participant and a Dean’s List Award winner from FIRST Tech Challenge team “Rounded Cube” in Illinois. Kyran plans to pursue computer engineering and has a personal mission to use his skills to enhance the lives of people globally through leadership and discovery.

Learn more about Kyran and the Woodie Flowers Memorial Grant >>

During FIRST Professional Development, you’ll grow your knowledge, skills, and STEM teaching methods by practicing student elements of the program and build a foundation to deliver quality STEM activities and social-emotional learning development for your students this upcoming school year. Sessions are available for FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Discover, Explore, and Challenge) and FIRST Tech Challenge.

Learn more and register for FIRST Professional Development >>