FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) began 22 years ago in New Hampshire – and the competition drew less than two dozen teams. Now the program has grown to 2,000 teams competing in 70 regional competitions all over the world, with over $15,000,000 in scholarships available. Teams from Chile, Brazil, China and Israel, among other countries, came to this year’s championships, held in St. Louis.
Teams have 6 weeks to build a robot, designed to play a different game every year, from a kit of parts. Then the teams take their robots to regional competitions, working to become part of a 3-team “alliance” that goes on to the championship round.
For 5 years The Label Printers has sponsored a team from Geneva High School. Every year that team has made it into the final round of the Midwest Regional Championship. We’re proud of them and delighted to be a part of a great program that focuses on helping students develop critical 21st century STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) skills, as well as team-building, and problem solving. FIRST’s key goals are the “commitment to Gracious Professionalism™ (a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community)…emphasis on learning, helping one another and inspiring careers in math, science, engineering and technology.”