The countdown is on...
May 20, 2021, 12 pm ET

We’re pleased to share the finalist teams for the FIRST^® Tech Challenge and FIRST^® Robotics Competition FIRST^® Innovation Challenge presented by Qualcomm and FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge Innovation Project. The cross-program FIRST^® Global Innovation Awards powered by Star Wars: Force for Change will celebrate their 60 game-changing inventions and present awards on Wednesday, June 30, at 2:30 pm ET on FIRSTtv.

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Cheddar News is spotlighting the next generation of inventors through a partnership with FIRST on the new series, “Young Innovators.” First up was FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1538 “The Holy Cows” and their “MOOOVE” app. Watch Cheddar’s interview with students Drew Nelles and Lydia Ponomarenko and parent/sponsor Duane Nelles, Qualcomm, SVP of Corporate Development.

For those who cultivate innovation and invention, it is our responsibility to provide opportunity for those historically marginalized. Janell Catlin, Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at FIRST, and Vicki Mealer-Burke, VP and Chief Diversity Officer at Qualcomm Incorporated, share how equity in innovation brings unique ideas, perspectives, life experiences, and skillsets that allow creativity to blossom and thrive. Read more at Sustainable Brands.

To recognize our teams’ triumphs and victories and the FIRST community’s contributions this season, we’re planning virtual season celebrations for our international programs in a variety of formats, including a FIRST Tech Challenge virtual celebration broadcast featuring awards and special guests on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 7:00pm ET on FIRSTtv on Twitch and a FIRST Robotics Competition virtual celebration broadcast on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 12:00pm ET on FIRSTtv. To learn more about the celebrations and what’s coming for Off-Season Events, read our recent Inspire blog post.