About FIRST
"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."
Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST
FIRST's mission is to inspire young people in the fields of science and technology by giving them access to programs that build science, engineering and technology skills.
Among most people, robotics competitions are usually thought of as savage battles in which one robot destroys the other - like in Battlebots. But among the FIRST programs we compete differently. Our two most important creeds among FIRST are Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition.
Gracious Professionalism
Gracious Professionalism was a term coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers, a professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is an integral part of FIRST and encompasses a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work yet maintains the values of others and respects everyone.
Gracious Professionalism combines the concepts of fierce competition and mutual gain. It teaches people to compete like crazy, but treat each other with respect and kindness. Although it emphasizes no trash talking, it doesn't mean that you're babied every step of the way. As FIRST says it, it's knowledge, competition, and empathy comfortably blended.
Coopertition
Coopertition is the idea of displaying unqualified kindness and respect during fierce competition. It's based on the concept that teams should help and cooperate even as they compete. It involves learning, teaching, managing, and being managed. It means always competing but helping when you can.
Visit
www.usfirst.org for more information.