This Teacher Appreciation week, we are proud to announce 15 educator and 10 school honorees as part of the Inspire the Future: FIRST^® Recognition Program, selected from nominations made by the global FIRST community. 

Grab your gear and get ready for FIRST^® AGE™ presented by Qualcomm. We’re embarking on a journey of discovery, using STEM skills and teamwork to unearth the stories of the past and connect them to the innovations of the future.   

Mark you calendar for all three FIRST AGE program start dates: 

August 5, 2025 
In the UNEARTHED™ challenge FIRST^® LEGO^® League teams will uncover the past to discover the future.  

September 6, 2025  
FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams will investigate the power of the world’s artifacts and unlock mysteries in a new challenge, DECODE™ presented by RTX. 

January 10, 2026 
In REBUILT™ presented by Haas, FIRST^® Robotics Competition teams will use engineering skills and re-imagine the past. 

Registration for all programs opens May 14 through the FIRST Dashboard*.

*If you are a FIRST LEGO League or FIRST Tech Challenge team or Class Pack customer outside North America, contact your local partner for registration details. 

Read more about FIRST AGE >>

FIRST is proud to announce Matt Rendall, CEO of Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors; Jim Scapa, Founder and Former CEO of Altair; and Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M, as new members of the FIRST Board of Directors.

With expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, simulation, and science advocacy, these leaders bring unique and valuable perspectives that will help FIRST expand access to high-quality STEM opportunities for students around the world.  

Meet the newly appointed Board of Directors >>

Last month, FIRST brought together more than 50,000 people, along with more than 1,000 robots, as youth from 66 countries put their innovation, teamwork, and robotics skills to the test at the 2025 FIRST Championship presented by BAE Systems in Houston.  

"FIRST has brought competitive youth robotics to life for 36 years, transforming it into the only sport where every kid can go pro," said Chris Moore, chief executive officer of FIRST. "The life-changing impact of FIRST has been on display all week at FIRST Championship. From their heart-pounding matches on the fields to inspiring displays of innovation and teamwork, our participants are building the network and the skills needed to take them anywhere they want to go in their career."   

Read more about the 2025 FIRST Championship and see a list of winning teams >>

FIRST alum Luiza is an English conversation teacher for kindergarten and elementary school students who now uses her STEAM skills to build the next generation of innovators as a mentor to her former FIRST team.  

Inspired by her time on FIRST Robotics Competition Team 7567 “Octopus” as well has her former mentors, Luiza aspires to learn more about the world through STEAM and doing her part to change it for the better.  

Read more about how Luiza is helping to shape future generations >>