The US FIRST Competition is a national engineering contest which immerses
high school students in the exciting world of engineering. Teaming up with
engineers from businesses and universities, students get a hands-on, inside
look at the engineering profession. In six intense weeks, students and engineers
work together to brainstorm, design, construct and test their "champion
robot". With only six weeks, all jobs are critical path. The teams
then compete in a spirited, no-holds-barred tournament complete with referees,
cheerleaders and time clocks.
The partnerships developed between schools, businesses, and universities
provide an exchange of resources and talent, highlighting mutual needs,
building cooperation, and exposing students to new career choices. The result
is a fun, exciting and stimulating environment in which all participants
discover the important connection between classroom lessons and real world
applications.
Each year, the Competition is different, so returning teams always have
a new challenge to look forward to. However, the details are kept secret
until the unveiling at the Kick-Off workshop. This provides a high level
of excitement as everyone sees the new challenge for the first time and
ideas immediately begin forming in people's minds.