FIRST Robotics
Founded in 1989 and based in Manchester, NH, FIRST, (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, and to motivate them to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM fields. There are different categories of FIRST for each age group, intending to inspire a love of STEM in kids as young as six. As a high school team, the Cellar Rats take part in FRC, (FIRST Robotics Competition).
FRC is known as “the ultimate sport for the mind”. Following kickoff on the first Saturday in January, a six-week time period known as the Build Season takes place. During this time, teams must fully construct and program industrial size robots to take part in a complex robot obstacle course. The competition hosts over five hundred and fifteen thousand students with over fifty-nine thousand teams participating in official competitions. This is a world-wide event, and competitions for it take place in eighty-three countries.
