ABOUT FIRST

"Vision: To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated

and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

- Dean Kamen, Founder

THE MISSION

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by Dean Kamen in 1989 to provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world.

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FIRST IS #MORETHANROBOTS

WHAT'S FRC?

Team 533 competes in FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), a branch of FIRST exclusive to high school aged students. Every year FIRST creates a brand new game, revealed at Kick-Off, followed by weeks of planning, building, and programming our robot. Teams go on to compete against one another in multi-day competitions (regionals), hoping to win a ticket to Championships before the off-season begins and teams compete solely for fun at stand-alone competitions (invitationals).

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THE PHILOSOPHY

GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM

Gracious Professionalism encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Teams can compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy. There is no trash talking, nor disingenuous platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.

COOPERTITION

Coopertition promotes kindness and respect in the face of intense competition. Even as they compete, teams can cooperate with each other while assisting and enabling others whenever possible. It's about learning from teammates, teaching others, collaborating with mentors, managing and being managed.