The 2020-2021 FIRST^® Tech Challenge season launched with an online game reveal on September 12 of ULTIMATE GOAL^SM presented by Qualcomm. Thousands of youth participants, adult mentors, and FIRST^® fans alike gathered virtually to watch the FIRSTtv broadcast and glimpse this season’s game, which focuses on revolutionizing the nature of traditional sports. Students in 40 countries around the world will participate this season.

The Presenting Sponsor for the FIRST Tech Challenge ULTIMATE GOAL season is Qualcomm Incorporated. Official Program Sponsor is Collins Aerospace. CAD and Remote Collaboration Sponsor is PTC’s Onshape. ULTIMATE GOAL is part of FIRST^® GAME CHANGERS^SM powered by Star Wars: Force for Change.

FIRST is working hard to ensure we’ll be able to provide every student participant a valuable, enjoyable experience, regardless of learning environment this season. To accommodate build seasons and local and remote events, FIRST is extending the 2020-2021 event season for all programs through the end of June 2021 and moving the 2021 FIRST Championship from April 2021 to later in the year. Read full details on the Inspire Blog.

In many ways, the FIRST GAME CHANGERS season will be unlike any other. Show us your challenges, triumphs and victories this season using #FIRSTGAMECHANGERS and check out more posts from teams around the world on our Community Game Changers page.

To continue celebrating the season, we're teaming up with Rockwell Automation’s Global STEM Ambassador Jay Flores to bring you live conversations with the people who are changing the game in the world of sports. Tune in starting September 17 at 8 p.m. ET on @FIRSTofficial’s Instagram LIVE for “Changing the Game,” powered by Rockwell Automation, and an exciting interview with our first featured guest, Parkour Specialist Lorena Abreu.

The 2021 FIRST Scholarship Program has officially launched at firstinspires.org/scholarships. High-school-level FIRST participants can apply for over $80 million in scholarship opportunities for post-secondary education. Scholarship opportunities will continue to be posted throughout the year as more scholarships are made available, so be sure to check back often.

Because of her commitment to seeing more girls of color in STEM, FIRST^® Robotics Competition student Nialah Crosby was crowned Michigan’s first Miss Juneteenth. On the Inspire blog, Nialah shared more about the influence of her mentors in her participation in FIRST and her advice for building a more diverse and inclusive robotics team.

Mentors help students gain the skills and confidence to forge ahead and build their future with FIRST. Through the new FIRST Mentor Network, sponsored by NI, teams and mentors can make a positive impact on each other and in their community. To start connecting, create your team or mentor profile today.

Whether you are in the classroom, remote, or in a hybrid environment, the FIRST at Home curriculum series gives teachers, parents, and coaches ways to engage students in STEM learning, skill building, and FUN. Download your free 12 session PreK-12 learning series.