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About the FIRST Robotics Virtual Reality Experience

The FIRST Robotics Virtual Reality Experience is an immersive introduction into FIRST’s hands-on robotics programs, offering a glimpse into the thrilling robotics programs at FIRST, and how students within FIRST are being prepared for a better future.

About FIRST®

FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs.

As the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education, FIRST emerges the rigor of STEM learning with the fun and excitement of traditional sports through an expanded team structure. For over 30 years, FIRST has fostered hands-on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school.

Encouraged by a global support system of FIRST partners, mentors, volunteers, alumni and sponsors, students from all walks of life develop self-confidence in STEM and valuable, real-world skills – such as digital literacy, teamwork, leadership, creative problem solving, and project management. The FIRST experience inspires young people to channel their raw curiosity, leading to an increase in student engagement, excitement within an inclusive and diverse community, continued interest in technical careers, gains across core subjects, and practical applications for hands-on learning.

Whether it’s finding their people or finding their path, students will gain the skills and confidence with FIRST to forge ahead and build their future.

FIRST Builds TOMORROW’s LEADERS
FIRST LEGO League participants

FIRST is preparing students for the future by:

  • Applying learning concepts from the classroom to real-world application
  • Inspiring raw curiosity and critical thinking
  • Working within a diverse, inclusive and equitable community
  • Nurturing a lifelong love of learning, critical to perseverance in an ever-changing workforce

FIRST AT A GLANCE

679K

students

~110

 countries

320K+

mentor, coach, judge, and volunteer roles

3,700

FIRST events worldwide

20M+

volunteer hours

$80M

scholarship opportunities from 200+ providers
FIRST Robotics participants

FIRST Alum DeAnna’s Story: How I Found My Path Forward

While DeAnna’s home life in Chicago’s South Side was going through turmoil, she struggled to stay engaged in school – until FIRST gave her an environment and mentorship that helped her stay connected and find purpose. She joined a FIRST Tech Challenge team led by team mentor Bruce, a retiree who wanted to help kids achieve a bright future and stay engaged himself. Through Bruce’s encouragement and support, DeAnna graduated, went to college, and landed her dream job, and now the FIRST alum helps younger members of her family find their own paths forward.

“I started to find my purpose. Bruce was there along the way to say, ‘You can do this.’”

DEANNA KINDS
FIRST Alum

LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRST
FIRST Robotics participants building a robot