At Deep Tech Talks, we explore the latest in AI, cloud computing, and robotics, but what if I told you that one of the most powerful engineering experiences isn’t happening in Silicon Valley or a research lab… it’s happening in high school gyms, classrooms, and workshops across the world?
Welcome to the world of FIRST Robotics.
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is more than just a robotics program, it’s a global movement that’s redefining what it means to be a young innovator and sparks a love for STEM through thrilling robotics programs. Through hands-on challenges, real-world engineering problems, and a spirit of gracious professionalism, FIRST programs empower students to dream big, build boldly, and collaborate like pros.
“FIRST is More Than Robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future.”
— Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST
FIRST offers different programs tailored to various age groups:
- FIRST LEGO League: For elementary and middle schoolers
- FIRST Tech Challenge: For grade 7 – 12 with smaller robots
- FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC): The flagship program, for high school students building industrial-grade robots, where real engineering meets the thrill of sport.
What is FRC?
Imagine a varsity sport—but instead of throwing a ball, students are programming autonomous routines, wiring custom circuit boards, and building an approx. 150-pound robots to compete in a themed game. That’s FRC in a nutshell.
Each year, FIRST announces a new themed game challenge – with tasks that may include shooting balls, climbing platforms, or completing cooperative objectives with other robots on the field. High school teams then have six weeks to design, prototype, build, and program a robot that can compete.
The season culminates in regional and championship competitions, where students present their robots, team spirit, and engineering documentation. The energy at these events? Electric. The stakes? High. The learning? Off the charts. Teams advance from local regionals to a world championship with thousands of students from around the globe.
“It’s like building a startup in six weeks—with a robot as your product and a team of teenagers as your engineers.”
— FRC Mentor
Why is FRC Transformative for High Schoolers?
1. Real Engineering at a Young Age
FRC is one of the few STEM programs where students genuinely design and build complex electromechanical systems. They learn CAD, sensor integration, Java/C++/Python programming, control systems, pneumatics, and even version control. This isn’t a classroom simulation, it’s real hands-on problem-solving.
2. Teamwork Mirrors the Real World
Students operate like a startup. There’s a build team, programming team, strategy analysts, media, finance, marketing, every role needed to run a real engineering operation. They learn how to collaborate, lead, delegate, and deliver under pressure. They learn the power of teamwork.
3. Hands-On Learning That Sticks
STEM isn’t just about memorizing formulas, it’s about building, debugging, and problem-solving. FRC makes science and engineering real. Students touch the hardware, write the code, and see the robot come alive. Students prototype, fail fast, and iterate rapidly. Mistakes aren’t just allowed, they’re celebrated.
4. College and Career Readiness
FRC alumni stand out to colleges and even start careers early. Many earn scholarships through the program and even more find early access to internships and research projects thanks to the portfolio of skills they build in high school. They are highly sought after by top universities and employers.
5. Confidence, Creativity, and Grit
Soft skills like confidence, leadership, and communication are as important as engineering. FRC builds both. Beyond tech skills, students build confidence in public speaking (via team presentations), resilience (things will break), and creativity (engineering is full of constraints). It’s STEM education with a soul. And most importantly, students discover what they’re capable of.
“Before robotics, I didn’t think I could be an engineer. Now, I want to be one. I already am one.”
— FRC Student
The Big Picture: STEM Exposure That Matters
We often talk about closing the tech gap, increasing diversity in engineering, and preparing the next generation for a future defined by AI, robotics, and automation. Programs like FRC aren’t just part of the solution, they’re the blueprint. FIRST doesn’t just teach STEM, it inspires purpose. FRC is where a 15-year-old can hold a wrench in one hand and a dream in the other, and both feel equally real.
“It’s never been about the robots. We don’t use kids to build robots. We use robots to build kids.”
— Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST
My Journey with FIRST
My involvement with FIRST Robotics began two years ago when my daughter joined Team 2910, Jack in the Bot. During the team’s orientation presentation, I was in awe of how professionally the program was run: the structure, the student leadership, the engineering rigor, and the values of teamwork and innovation. It was instantly clear that this was more than just a robotics club. Inspired to contribute, I joined the team as a programming mentor, eager to support the students and give back to a program that was already making such an impact.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of contributing across multiple dimensions of the FIRST ecosystem. I’ve served as a Judge for FLL, a Field Reset and Practice Field volunteer at FRC regional events, and proudly volunteered at the FIRST World Championship in 2024. In 2025, I deepened my commitment by judging at district events, District Championships, and the World Championship for FRC.
As a Microsoft Change Agent for Robotics Boosters, I’ve also championed efforts to support and fundraise for STEM programs. One highlight was hosting Team 2910 at Microsoft HQ, where students demonstrated their robot, shared their journey, and inspired a room full of technologists and sponsors. Being part of this community has been a deeply rewarding way to give back and help spark the next generation of engineers, coders, and creators.
Final Thoughts
If you ever get the chance to attend an FRC competition, do it. You’ll witness the next generation of tech leaders in action, and trust me, the future is in very capable hands. Whether you’re a parent, educator, mentor, or tech professional, I encourage you to get involved. Help support a local team, attend a competition, or sponsor a STEM initiative.
Together, we can help the next generation change the world, one robot at a time.
🔗 Learn more about FIRST: https://firstinspires.org
🔗 Learn more about FIRST Washington: https://firstwa.org
🔗 Learn more about Team 2910, Jack in the Bot: https://frcteam2910.org
Images are AI generated.
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