FIRST
From the Team 1432 Robotics Wiki
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is an organization seeking "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes." FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen (best known for the Segway Personal Transporter and the HomeChoice portable dialysis system).
FIRST consists of four main programs: Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL), FIRST Lego League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), and the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).
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Junior FIRST LEGO League
Jr.FLL is a program similar to FLL, targeted at kids aged 6 to 9 years old.
FIRST LEGO League
FLL (commonly referred to as "LEGO Robotics") is a robotics program in which middle school students use LEGO parts to build robots. The robots are designed and programmed to perform specific missions. Competitions are run in much the same way as in FRC, except that FLL has individual teams compete against each other rather than alliances of three teams. The competition each year is based on a theme in the areas of community and equality.
Participation in FLL also includes a research portion, where each team conducts research on a topic related to the year's theme, comes up with possible solutions, and presents their project in front of judges.
FIRST Tech Challenge
FTC is a mid-level program between FLL and FRC. It does not have a research project, and the materials used are more affordable than those used in FIRST's other programs.
FIRST Robotics Competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition is geared towards high school students. It does not include a research portion. The materials and tools used to build and program the robots are more sophisticated; many of them are used in professional engineering environments.
