FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to increase youth awareness and interest in science and technology.  To further this goal, he decided to make the organization competition oriented in the hopes that it could eventually become an integral part of both American and World culture.  Although that goal has not yet been fully realized, the organization has certainly flourished, with the FIRST Robotics competition branch alone spanning 1,307 teams and 32,500 high school students.  As if that weren’t enough, FIRST in total reaches almost 133,000 students worldwide (branches include FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST LEGO League, Junior FIRST LEGO League, and FIRST Place). However, despite the spirit of competition that brought FIRST to where it is today, its true foundation is the concept of gracious professionalism, which helps to keep the competition friendly and on track. 

“To create a world where science and technology are celebrated... Where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

-Dean Kamen, Founder