Press Room

FIRST Tech Challenge Teams to Use Teamwork and STEM Skills to Uncover Innovations in Archaeology with DECODE presented by RTX

FIRST Staff — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:00:00 GMT

More than 115,000 Middle and High-School Students Worldwide Will Dig into an Archeology-Themed Game During the 2025-2026 Season of FIRST^® Tech Challenge

MANCHESTER, N.H., September 6, 2025 – FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, celebrated the launch of its 2025-2026 FIRST^® Tech Challenge season, DECODE^TM presented by RTX, with a game reveal on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel on September 6. This year, students will explore how the technological advances and collaborations across STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields are used to help archaeologists dig deeper into their discoveries than ever before.

DECODE is part of the 2025-2026 season, FIRST^® AGE^TM presented by Qualcomm. Throughout the season, teams will use STEM and collaboration skills to unearth new findings about themselves and our collective communities to help build a better world. Teams will collaborate and innovate as they design, build, program, and operate robots to complete unique objectives in this archaeology-inspired, thrilling head-to-head challenge.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with RTX to bring FIRST Tech Challenge students a new season rooted in discovery and exploration,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “This year’s archaeology-themed challenge invites students to uncover the past while building skills for the future — from engineering and programming to storytelling and data analysis. Through their journey with FIRST, students experience the excitement of STEM and gain a clearer perspective of the many career paths just waiting to be explored.”

Registration for the 2025-2026 DECODE season is now open.

As the presenting sponsor for the DECODE season, RTX directly supports FIRST events, programs, and thousands of teams globally, through funding and time donated by employees. RTX is doing its part to bring innovation, collaboration, and STEM education to students all over the world.

“At RTX, we advance technologies like remote sensing and underwater acoustics that are used by archeologists around the world, and DECODE is a natural connection for us,” said Dantaya Williams, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, RTX. “But more importantly, DECODE is a challenge that sparks excitement and curiosity in students, and that’s where the magic happens. These students will learn critical thinking and analytical skills, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork – the very attributes needed in organizations today and the workforce of the future.”

FIRST Tech Challenge is a widely accessible robotics program designed for students in grades 7 through 12 in which teams design, build, code, and operate sophisticated robots to play a themed game in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.

In addition to gameplay, designing and building robots, FIRST Tech Challenge participants raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn awards during the competition season.

FIRST Strategic Partner, RTX, is the Season Presenting Sponsor for the 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season, DECODE. DECODE is part of the 2025-2026 FIRST AGE season, sponsored by Qualcomm. Google.org also supports the FIRST Tech Challenge program with funding to expand program access and advance AI education

About FIRST^®

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

FIRST Appoints Andy Bell to Lead New Business Innovation Team at World’s Largest Youth-Serving Robotics Community | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H., August 12, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Bell as Senior Director of Business Innovations, a new role created to accelerate innovation and identify opportunities for transformative growth. As FIRST continues to expand its impact, this new position will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future. Bell will lead a dedicated team focused on identifying new strategic opportunities, forming high-impact partnerships, and advancing innovative business models that align with the organization’s long-term goals.

FIRST and LEGO Education Challenge Students from More Than 90 Countries to Uncover the Future During FIRST LEGO League UNEARTHED Season

FIRST Staff — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H., August 5, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, and LEGO^® Education announced that the 2025-2026 FIRST^® LEGO^® League season named UNEARTHED™ will inspire students (grades K-8) to use their STEM skills and teamwork to dig deeper than ever before into discoveries about the past.

FIRST Earns 2025/2026 Great Place To Work Certification

FIRST Staff — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H., July 28, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work^®. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at the nonprofit organization. 92% of employees said FIRST a great place to work – at an average U.S. company, only 57% of employees report this level of job satisfaction. Beyond that, 98% of employees said they feel good about how FIRST contributes to the community — a reflection of how deeply our team cares about their work and the young lives they help shape.

“At FIRST, we believe that the same principles that inspire young people to become innovators – collaboration, respect, and purpose – should guide the way we empower our employees,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “We’re proud to be certified by Great Place to Work, and we’ll continue to foster an environment where staff feel inspired, supported, and connected to our mission every day.”

Great Place To Work^® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

"Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that FIRST stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees."

To learn more about careers at FIRST, please visit https://www.firstinspires.org/about/careers.

Visit our Great Place to Work company page to learn more about our employees’ satisfaction: Working at FIRST | Great Place To Work^®

About FIRST^®

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

About Great Place to Work Certification™

Great Place To Work^® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

About Great Place To Work^®

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work^® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

FIRST Campaign #GetAnywhere Named Silver Winner in Not-For-Profit and Education & Discovery in the 46th Annual Telly Awards | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H., June 12, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, announced today that its #GetAnywhere campaign has won two Silver Awards in the categories of Not-For-Profit and Education & Discovery in the record breaking 46th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies. This year’s winners include Pixar Animation Studios, Hearst Media, ESPN, LinkedIn, NATO, MTV Entertainment Studios, NASA, the LA Clippers (NBA), Sawhorse Productions, Telemundo and more. companies. This year’s winners include Pixar Animation Studios, Hearst Media, ESPN, LinkedIn, NATO, MTV Entertainment Studios, NASA, the LA Clippers (NBA), Sawhorse Productions, Telemundo and more.

“Our industry is experimenting with new technologies like never before, shaping truly compelling stories to draw attention to some of the world’s most pressing issues,” shares Telly Awards Managing Director Amanda Needham. “The Telly Awards is uniquely positioned to meet the industry where it’s actually making work, be that on television or TikTok.”

Launched in October of 2024, the “Get Anywhere” campaign reinforced the reality that by participating in FIRST, everyone can “go pro.” Young people might not have their futures figured out, but this should not stop them from building their skillsets today – because STEM and FIRST-learned skills can get them anywhere. This aspirational national campaign featuring a powerful video series was designed to increase awareness of STEM education’s broad application and increase young people’s confidence to tackle these subjects.

The campaign highlights a wide range of careers pathways represented by real FIRST alumni who used their FIRST-learned skills to land exciting roles at major companies such as John Deere, Nike, and RTX. The “Get Anywhere” campaign showcased FIRST as the tool to empower all students to build STEM skills and find success in their future careers, no matter the industry.

"My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of the many collaborators who worked tirelessly to bring this inspiring campaign to life - including FIRST staff, our featured FIRST alumni, our campaign sponsors 3M, Molex, Novelis, and Optimum, and our production partners, Nation of Artists,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “It's an honor to see FIRST join the ranks of other Telly Award winners such as NASA, ESPN, and The Walt Disney Company.”

Committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity forward, this year’s new categories included topics within Film & Shorts, Outdoor & Adventure, and Brand Partnerships. These categories are centered on stories and collaborations that are actively evolving within the video and television industry.

The Telly Awards received over 13,000 entries across the globe and from top video and television content producers. Winners were chosen by The Telly Awards Judging Council which includes Ben Wackett, Marketing Director, ENSO Sports & Entertainment Agency, Brian Toombs, Head of Roku Brand Studio, Roku Brand Studio, Lucy Shen, Creator Marketing Manager, Patreon, Irantzu Diez-Gamboa, CEO North America, MediaPro, Rosalind Pressman, VP Brand Marketing, Pluto TV, Adam Faze, Executive Producer, Gymnasium, James Young, EVP, Head of Creative Innovation, BBDO New York, Sarah Minnie, Head of Artist Development and Production, Open Television, Nicole Lederman, Executive Producer, The Martin Agency, and Gregg Stouffer, Lead Editor, Pickleball TV.

The full list of the 46th Annual Telly Awards winners can be found at www.tellyawards.com/winners/.

About FIRST^®

About The Telly Awards

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include NAB, RunwayML AIFF, ReelAbilities Film Festival, Film Fatales, FWD-Doc, Stash, Production Hub, Ghetto Film School, Future of Film, We Are Parable, Video Consortium, SeriesFest and Green The Bid.

More information can be found at the Telly Awards Press Center: https://tlly.co/press

Students Worldwide Embark on a Robotics Season for the Ages as FIRST Announces its Upcoming 2025-2026 Season: FIRST AGE presented by Qualcomm Incorporated | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Wed, 14 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Qualcomm Announced as Presenting Sponsor of Archaeology-Inspired Season, Prompting Young People to Discover How Society and Technology Progress Through the Ages

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 14, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, announced the upcoming youth robotics season: FIRST^® AGE™ presented by Qualcomm. The 2025-2026 season’s archaeology theme challenges FIRST teams to discover artifacts and explore how society and technology progress through the ages as they collaborate and build STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills.

Watch an exciting preview of what FIRST students will be digging into this season.

The new season will kick off August 5 with the FIRST^® LEGO^® League challenge release, followed by FIRST^® Tech Challenge in September and FIRST^® Robotics Competition in January, and conclude in April with the 2026 FIRST^® Championship.

Season team registration through the FIRST Dashboard is now open.

“We are thrilled for FIRST students around the world to uncover their futures through their participation in FIRST and the exciting, new FIRST AGE season,” said Chris Moore, chief executive officer, FIRST. “For more than three decades, FIRST has leveraged a magic formula of inspiration, hands-on learning, team-based problem solving, mentorship, and celebration to not only engage students in STEM learning, but to allow them to visualize pathways to STEM careers. FIRST is the springboard for our youth participants to discover their passions and chase their dreams. I am looking forward to watching students around the world dig into this new season!”

Qualcomm Incorporated, a FIRST Strategic Partner and longtime supporter of FIRST, returns as Season Presenting Sponsor of the FIRST AGE season to inspire young innovators to set out to make history.

“We’re proud to partner with FIRST to inspire students to dig into a new age as part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators and technologists,” said Angela Baker, vice president of corporate responsibility and chief sustainability officer, Qualcomm Incorporated. “Through our 20-year collaboration with FIRST, we are dedicated to nurturing young minds to explore the unknown, uncover new possibilities, and build a brighter future. Together, we are empowering students to decode the challenges of today and rebuild a world of endless opportunities."

The FIRST AGE presented by Qualcomm season theme will be pulled through the FIRST program games and challenges, in which students build robots to complete tasks and create innovative, real-world solutions and then celebrate what they learned and build at local and regional events:

FIRST LEGO League students will uncover the past to discover the future, using creative thinking and LEGO^® Education technology in UNEARTHED™, launching August 5.
FIRST Tech Challenge teams will investigate the power of the world’s artifacts and unlock mysteries in DECODE™ presented by RTX, launching September 6.
FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills to reimagine the past in REBUILT™ presented by Haas, launching January 10, 2026.

The season-culminating 2026 FIRST Championship will be held April 29 – May 2, 2026, in Houston.

Learn more about the 2025-2026 season at firstinspires.org/first-age and receive regular updates and latest news by signing up for the FIRST Newsletter.

About FIRST^®

FIRST Appoints Industry Experts Driving Innovation in Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Science Encouragement to Board of Directors | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Mon, 05 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Executives from Clearpath Robotics, Altair and 3M Company Join the Board of the World’s Largest Youth Robotics Nonprofit

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 6, 2025 – FIRST^®, a global robotics community preparing young people for the future through hands-on STEM learning and education, today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors:

Matt Rendall, CEO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors
Jim Scapa, Founder and Former CEO of Altair
Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M

With expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, simulation and science advocacy, these leaders bring unique and valuable perspectives that will help FIRST expand access to high-quality STEM opportunities for students around the world.

“Matt, Jim, and Jayshree bring a powerful mix of industry expertise and purpose to the Board,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “They understand the importance of creating real-world, inclusive STEM pathways, and will help us continue to grow our community in thoughtful, intentional ways, while staying true to the values that make our mission so impactful.”

The FIRST Board of Directors includes leaders from business, government, education, and science, who guide the organization’s strategic direction and provide fiduciary oversight. The Board’s Governance & Nominating Committee regularly identifies and nominates individuals whose experience aligns with the organization’s long-term vision. Learn more about FIRST Leadership.

“Matt, Jim, and Jayshree are strong additions to the Board,” said Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST. “They have each built something lasting in tech or science, and they all have shown deep commitment to empowering the next generation. Their leadership will bring valuable insight to FIRST as we continue to scale our impact.”

Meet the Newly Appointed Board Members:

Matt Rendall, CEO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors

Matt Rendall is the CEO and co-founder of Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors. In this role, Rendall leads one of the world’s most respected companies in autonomous robotics, acquired by Rockwell Automation in 2023. Under his leadership, Clearpath partners with academic, government and industrial institutions to advance automation globally.

Clearpath and its parent company, Rockwell Automation, have been a FIRST Strategic Partner and sponsor for over a decade, supporting FIRST through both charitable and product donations. Clearpath Robotics also sponsors a local high school FIRST team, offering resources and employee guidance to help students grow their interests in STEM.

"FIRST isn’t just shaping students—it’s shaping our future workforce,” said Rendall. “At Rockwell, we’ve seen firsthand how FIRST alumni bring an incredible mix of technical know-how, creative problem-solving, and real-world collaboration skills. These are exactly the qualities we look for when developing cutting-edge autonomous robotics systems. There is no better outlet to cultivate STEM skills early in life. I'm humbled at the opportunity to join the FIRST Board of Directors, and excited to help shape the future of this amazing organization."

Jim Scapa, Founder and Former CEO of Altair

With nearly four decades of leadership, Jim Scapa has grown Altair into a global powerhouse in computational science and artificial intelligence. With a background in mechanical engineering and business, Scapa has long championed innovation through simulation and data analytics and believes strongly in preparing the next generation of problem-solvers through hands-on, team-based learning.

Altair has been a committed supporter of FIRST for years, providing free access to a comprehensive suite of software tools that help teams bring their ideas to life. In addition, Altair offers FIRST-specific training materials, regular virtual training sessions and a dedicated community support group designed to meet the unique needs of participants. Every year, Altair also awards financial grants to teams worldwide to further support their skill development. In 2025, Altair financially supported 30 FIRST^® Robotics Competition teams.

“There is an urgent need to equip the next generation with the tools to engineer a better world. FIRST provides that early understanding of what it means to tackle meaningful problems – and to do it as a team. That’s how future leaders are made.” said Scapa.

Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M

Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist and 3M’s first Chief Science Advocate, holding more than 80 patents and is recognized globally for her contributions to innovation and widespread STEM outreach. Her experience with FIRST spans both sides of the coin: as a scientist who advocates for STEM education for all and as a parent of two FIRST alumni who has seen firsthand how FIRST programs shape and inspire young minds.

3M has been a Strategic Partner of FIRST for over two decades, supporting the organization through product donations, volunteer mentorship and funding that has helped expand access to STEM for students – particularly those from under resourced communities. The company’s contributions have enhanced both the affordability and the hands-on experience of FIRST programs, while its employees regularly serve as mentors and role models for students across all levels.

“I’ve seen the impact of FIRST up close – both as a scientist and a parent. It’s not just about robotics; it’s about building confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging. We need more spaces like this, where every young person can discover exactly what they’re capable of,” said Seth.

About FIRST^®

50,000+ Celebrate STEM Skills & Innovation as International Youth Robotics Teams Compete at FIRST® Championship in Houston | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Presenting Sponsor BAE Systems, Other Global Supporters Cheered on more than 19,000 Students from 66 Countries Playing the Only Sport Where Every Kid Can Go Pro

Event Marks Culmination of 2024-2025 Robotics Season, FIRST^® DIVE^SM Presented by Qualcomm Incorporated

Teams from Mexico were among the 66 countries represented at the 2025 FIRST Championship, the event's largest gathering of countries ever.

HOUSTON, April 19, 2025 – This week, FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, brought together more than 50,000 people – along with more than 1,000 robots – as youth robotics teams from 66 countries put their innovation, teamwork, and robotics skills to the test at the 2025 FIRST Championship presented by BAE Systems, which took place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

The not-for-profit organization’s annual four-day event concluded Saturday with middle and high school robotics teams competing in heart-pounding match finals for the FIRST^® Robotics Competition and FIRST^® Tech Challenge international championships, in front of thousands of cheering fans. Four teams from Mill Creek, Washington; Madera, California; Lafayette, Indiana; and Burlingame, Calif., were the FIRST Robotics Competition Winning Alliance for this year’s game, REEFSCAPE^SM presented by Haas. Teams from Longmont, Colorado; Mumbai, India; and Austin, Texas, were the FIRST Tech Challenge Winning Alliance for INTO THE DEEP^SM presented by RTX.

At FIRST Championship, more than 19,000 students competed and exhibited across the three FIRST programs, including FIRST^® LEGO^® League. Teams earned honors for design excellence, competitive play, research, business plans, creativity, and teamwork. (See “2025 FIRST Championship Winners” section below.)

"FIRST  has brought competitive youth robotics to life for 36 years, transforming it into the only sport where every kid can go pro," said Chris Moore, chief executive officer of FIRST. "The life-changing impact of FIRST has been on display all week at FIRST Championship. From their heart-pounding matches on the fields to inspiring displays of innovation and teamwork, our participants are building the network and the skills needed to take them anywhere they want to go in their career."

Special guests at the 2025 FIRST Championship included Dean Kamen, FIRST founder and prolific inventor, and other global leaders in business and innovation.

“At BAE Systems, we believe in empowering the next generation of innovators to take on the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Tom Arseneault, president and chief executive officer of BAE Systems, Inc. “The 2025 FIRST Championship was a celebration of the ingenuity, teamwork, and determination that will define the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow. We are honored to support this extraordinary event and the students whose talents and ideas are shaping a brighter future.”

FIRST Championship also honored significant supporters of the FIRST mission:

The Gene Haas Foundation was the recipient of the Founder’s Award, presented each year by FIRST founder Dean Kamen to one organization or individual for exceptional service in advancing the ideals and mission of FIRST.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to outstanding event volunteers for FIRST programs: Thad House from the Pacific Northwest (FIRST Robotics Competition); Chris Silvano from Okla. (FIRST Tech Challenge); and Cameron Schriner from Ga. (FIRST LEGO League).
The Woodie Flowers Award, founded by Dr. William P. Murphy Jr. in 1996 and named after Dr. Woodie Flowers to recognize FIRST Robotics Competition mentors who lead, inspire, and empower through effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design, was awarded to Francisco “Paco” Guerra from Team 4635, PrepaTec - Botbusters, Monterrey, Mexico.
The Compass Award for excellence in coaching/mentoring FIRST Tech Challenge was awarded to Patrick Mulcah, who was nominated for this award by Team 11206, Devildogs, Duluth, Minn.
Coach/Mentor Awards for FIRST LEGO League went to Liia Tammes from Team 70197, AGA MIKS?, Vaela küla, Estonia; Sonja Fick from Team 70273, Heldele - EAG 6 and a half men, Oberkochen, Germany; Daniel Bryant from Team 3553, BeeSTAR, Sandy, Utah, Ciou Jyun-Yuan from Team 70227, The Endlessly Flowing Stream, Taichung, Chinese Taipei; Sarah Cerra from Team 51982, A.S.T.R.O.Leatherbacks, Alamogordo, N.M.; and Leigh Northrup from Team 4734, Brainy Yaks, Concord, N.C.

FIRST Championship, the world’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for students, marked the culmination of the 2024-2025 robotics season, FIRST^® DIVE^SM presented by Qualcomm, which challenged FIRST teams to use their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean and innovate for a better world.

On Saturday, FIRST previewed its upcoming archaeology-themed 2025-2026 season, FIRST^® AGE^TM presented by Qualcomm, with an inspiring video highlighting the ways archaeology helps us discover how society and technology progress through the ages.

"Qualcomm is pleased to support FIRST and its mission to inspire young people to become leaders in science and technology. By encouraging innovation and providing practical hands-on experiences, FIRST prepares students with the necessary skills and confidence to address global challenges," stated Angela Baker, vice president of corporate responsibility and chief sustainability officer at Qualcomm Incorporated. "This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to workforce development and nurturing the next generation of innovators dedicated to creating a better future for all."

FIRST CEO Chris Moore visits robotics teams in the pits.

2025 FIRST Championship Winners

Select 2025 winners of the competitions and awards announced in Houston are listed below. Visit the award links provided for additional recipients:

Dean’s List Award – This award celebrates outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary.

From FIRST Robotics Competition:

Yiğit Efe Erdoğmuş, Team 9029, Team NF, Ankara, Türkiye
Maeli McNary, Team 3009, High Scalers, Nev.
Owen Gillick, Team 2557, SOTAbots, Wash.
Rudra Karadkhelkar, Team 3616, Team Phenomena, La.
Keira Peterson, Team 6421, WarriorBots, Wis.
Mahendran Madhan Kumar, Team 2531, Robohawks, Minn.
Melina Mata, Team 71, Team Hammond, Ind.
Marcus Wong, Team 469, Las Guerillas, Mich.
Kristia Nahas, Team 3314, Mechanical Mustangs, N.J.
Marlon Wald, Team 1155, SciBorgs, N.Y.

From FIRST Tech Challenge:

Noah Blaut, Team 11093, MegaKnytes, Texas
Diya Dhawal, Team 10100, Phoenix Force, Wis.
Basmalah ElGawady, Team 23307, Zenith, Mo.
Serena Gandhi, Team 19819, AstroBruins, Calif.
Zarah Guillemet, Team 11770, Curiosity, Calif.
Thalis Katsimichas, Team 22043, UniREVsals VIOHALCO TECHNOLOGIES, East Attica, Greece
Zac Keepers, Team 24331, Caesar Circuitry, Ala.
Michael Merino, Team 14725, Java the Hutts, Fla.
Brady Poggioli, Team 18079, Accidental Success, Wash.
Olivia Stevens, Team 24864, Marian Mechanics, Del.

1. FIRST^® Robotics Competition – FIRST Robotics Competition (~ages 14-18) combines sports excitement with the rigors of science and technology. Working with adult mentors, students have limited time to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season’s challenge, released each January.

In the 2025 game, REEFSCAPE, two three-team alliances compete to score coral, harvest algae, and attach to the barge before time runs out. Alliances earn additional rewards for meeting specific scoring thresholds and for cooperating with their opponents to strengthen the reef. The presenting sponsor for the FIRST Robotics Competition season is the Gene Haas Foundation.

More than 3,700 FIRST Robotics Competition teams competed during the 2025 season in regional and district events, with 601 teams advancing to FIRST Championship, where they competed in rotating alliances in one of eight divisions for several matches to earn ranking points and advance to final playoffs.

Team 5985, Project Bucephalus, Wollongong, Australia, won the FIRST Impact Award, the highest honor given at the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, recognizing the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.
- FIRST Impact Award Finalists were Team 316, LUNATECS , Carneys Point, N.J.; Team 2438, 'Iobotics, Honolulu, Hawaii; Team 4788, Can't Control, Perth, Australia; Team 5089, Robo-Nerds, Los Angeles, California; and Team 1156, Under Control, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil.
The Winning Alliance of the FIRST Robotics Competition was Team 2910, Jack in the Bot, Mill Creek, Wash.; Team 1323, MadTown Robotics, Madera, Calif.; Team 4272, Maverick Robotics , Lafayette, Ind.; and Team 5026, Iron Panthers, Burlingame, Calif.
- The Championship Finalist Alliance was Team 2073, EagleForce, Elk Grove, Calif.; Team 4414, HighTide, Ventura, Calif.; Team 1690, Orbit, Binyamina, Z, Israel; and Team 5166, Fabricators, Freeland, Mich.

Within their divisions, FIRST Robotics Competition teams earned additional match-based and judged awards, including Championship Division Winner, Engineering Inspiration Award, Rookie All Star Award, and Gracious Professionalism^® Award.

FIRST Founder Dean Kamen observes a FIRST Robotics Competition REEFSCAPE match.

2. FIRST^® Tech Challenge – FIRST Tech Challenge (~ages 12-18) students learn to think as engineers. Teams design, build, and program classroom-scale robots, then pair up with alliance partners to compete in a dynamic, themed challenge released every September.

In the 2024-2025 game, INTO THE DEEP, teams used their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the ocean’s surface in a thrilling head-to-head challenge that included autonomous and driver-controlled periods. The presenting sponsor for the FIRST Tech Challenge season is RTX.

Approximately 8,800 FIRST Tech Challenge teams competed during the 2024-2025 season, with 256 teams advancing to this week’s FIRST Championship, where they competed in rotating alliances in one of four divisions across multiple days of game play to earn ranking points and advance to final playoffs.

The Inspire Award, recognizing excellence in robot design and teamwork, went to Team 18139, Rebel Robotics, Norfolk, Neb.
- Finalist Inspire Award teams were Team 9848, GearView, Mullica Hill, N.J.; Team 11770, Curiosity, Los Angeles, Calif.; and Team 11212, The Clueless, San Diego, Calif.
The Winning Alliance was Team 11260, Up-A-Creek Robotics, Longmont, Colo.; Team 20870, Team Matrix, Mumbai, India; and Team 19746, The Disruptingly Robocephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team, Austin, Texas.
- The Finalist Alliance was Team 18030, ViperBots Leviathan, Austin, Texas; Team 20871, Eureka, Mumbai, India; and Team 24751, GreenAms Robotics Team, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Within their divisions, FIRST Tech Challenge teams earned additional match-based and judged awards, including Division Winning Alliance, Design Award, and Connect Award.

View a list of winning teams by division: Franklin Division | Jemison Division | Edison Division sponsored by Google.org | Ochoa Division sponsored by Qualcomm

FIRST Tech Challenge team "LOAD Robotics" from Odessa, Del., works on their robot.

3. FIRST^® LEGO^® League – FIRST LEGO League (~ages 4-16, varies by region) introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by inviting them to conduct research projects and build robots using LEGO^® bricks and technology to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FIRST LEGO League teams, guided by their imaginations, discover exciting career possibilities and learn to make positive contributions to society.

This year, SUBMERGED^SM challenged more than 69,000 FIRST LEGO League Challenge and Explore teams from around the world to discover what lies beneath the surface of our planet’s most complex ecosystem. FIRST LEGO League Global Program Sponsors are LEGO^® Education and The LEGO^® Foundation. The FIRST LEGO League Challenge Division Sponsor is Rockwell Automation.

160 FIRST LEGO League Challenge division teams (ages 9-16) competed at this week’s event through robot matches, Innovation Project presentations, and FIRST Core Values activities.

Top honors went to Champion’s Award winner, Team 70325, SESI HEROES, Jundiaí, Brazil.
- Champion’s Award Finalists were Team 70362, FSIngenium Team, Sarriguren, Spain; Team 70295, SKILLSET, Astana, Kazakhstan; Team 70326, BIOTECH, Barra Bonita, Brazil; Team 70259, RED, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, South Korea; and Team 46665, Intelligent Mavericks, Richland, Wash.
The Robot Performance Award went to Team 70227, The Endlessly Flowing Stream, Taichung, Other, Chinese Taipei.
The Robot Design Award went to Team 56532, Next Level, Charlottesville, Va.
The Innovation Project Award went to Team 70349, WISE FOXES, Iguaraçu do Tiete, Brazil.
The Core Values Award went to Team 27643, Lego Legends, Portland, Ore.

39 FIRST LEGO League Explore division teams (ages 6-10) presented exhibits of their SUBMERGED models and research to showcase their critical thinking and imagination skills during the event.

The Core Values Award, Team Poster Award, Team Model Award, Coding Award, and Challenge Solution Award were presented during a ceremony honoring all exhibiting FIRST LEGO League Explore teams.

Visit the FIRST LEGO League blog for a full list of Challenge and Division award recipients, coming soon.

For more from FIRST Championship, watch highlights and follow FIRST on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

2025 FIRST Championship Sponsors: The 2025 FIRST Championship is presented by BAE Systems. The Lead Sponsor is Mouser Electronics. Co-Sponsors include CrunchLabs, the Coca-Cola Company, DoD STEM, the Gene Haas Foundation, PwC, United Therapeutics, and the United States Space Force. Friends of FIRST Sponsors include Aramco, Ball, BuildSubmarines.com, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Molex, STEMconnector, and TE Connectivity. 

2024-2025 FIRST Strategic Partners: The 3M Company, Apple, The Argosy Foundation, BAE Systems, Bechtel Group Foundation, The Boeing Company, Caterpillar, Inc. DEKA Research & Development Corporation, DoD STEM, Dow, FedEx Corporation, The Gene Haas Foundation, General Motors Company, Google.org, John Deere, LEGO Education, Medtronic, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NI, Novelis Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, RTX, Rockwell Automation, Inc., TE Connectivity, and The Walt Disney Company.

Save the Date for the 2026 FIRST Championship: April 29-May 2, 2026, Houston

About FIRST^®

BAE Systems, Inc. to Return as Presenting Sponsor for 2025 FIRST® Championship Event | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

50,000 students, supporters and industry leaders from around the globe to congregate in Houston during world’s largest youth STEM celebration

MANCHESTER, N.H., April 2, 2025 – FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, today announced that BAE Systems will return as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 FIRST Championship, the world’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for students, happening in Houston, Texas (April 16-19, 2025) this spring.

“BAE Systems has been a champion of FIRST for more than three decades. As a FIRST Strategic Partner, BAE Systems has helped us further our mission of inspiring students to seek out learning opportunities in STEM. Their fantastic support also allows us to give students the opportunity to see where their FIRST-learned skills can take them in their future careers,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “For the third year, BAE Systems has returned as the Presenting Sponsor for FIRST Championship, providing a transformative experience for the thousands of students who will join us in Houston this spring to compete on a global stage.”

“Though our strategic partnership with FIRST, we’re investing in our pipeline of STEM talent and equipping students with the support and guidance to launch successful careers, modernize their fields, and ensure a prosperous future for our country,” said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “These students will serve as America’s next great thinkers and leaders, driving innovation in our industry and solving the great problems of tomorrow, and their journey begins with the skillsets they’ve developed here.”

The 2024-2025 FIRST^® DIVE^SM season, presented by Qualcomm, empowered students to use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean and uncover their potential to innovate for a better world with healthier oceans. More than 50,000 students, coaches, and supporters from 60 countries will participate in the 2025 FIRST Championship event in Houston. With the support of FIRST sponsors, the event promises participating robotics teams and spectators alike an inspiring and action-packed experience that has all the heart-pounding thrill and team spirit of a professional sporting event. Live robotics match coverage and behind-the-scenes highlights will stream on FIRSTtv. Audiences can also follow FIRST social channels for exclusive coverage of all the excitement.

The 2025 FIRST Championship is presented by BAE Systems. The Lead Sponsor is Mouser Electronics. Co-Sponsors include CrunchLabs, the Coca-Cola Company, DoD STEM, the Gene Haas Foundation, PwC, United Therapeutics, and the United States Space Force. Friends of FIRST Sponsors include Aramco, Ball, BuildSubmarines.com, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Molex, STEMconnector, and TE Connectivity.

The international FIRST Championship in an annual event hosted by FIRST, a youth-serving nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen, to showcase and celebrate mentor-guided student robotics teams from four programs: FIRST^® Robotics Competition (grades 9-12); FIRST^® Tech Challenge (grades 7-12); FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge (grades 4-8); FIRST^® LEGO^® League Explore (grades 2-4).

The event is free to public spectators. For more information on FIRST Championship, please visit firstchampionship.org. Media interested in attending FIRST Championship should register at firstchampionship.org/media.

About FIRST^®

About BAE Systems, Inc.

About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. and its nearly 41,000 people are part of a global defense, aerospace, and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. We deliver products and services for air, land, sea and space, as well as advanced electronics, intelligence, security, and IT solutions and support services. Our dedication shows in everything we design, produce, and deliver—to protect those who protect us in a high-performance, innovative culture. We push the limits of possibility to provide a critical advantage to our customers where it counts. We’re investing in STEM opportunities to inspire the next generation of dreamers and doers to foster our future workforce.

FIRST and Medtronic Partner to Encourage Students to Pursue Medical Technology Careers through STEM | FIRST

FIRST Staff — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Medtronic, a leading global healthcare technology company, signs on as a FIRST Strategic Partner; Medtronic to continue to expand opportunities in robotics to all students

MANCHESTER, N.H., February 13, 2025 – FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, announced today that Medtronic would be expanding their support of the organization as a Strategic Partner. Medtronic began supporting FIRST in 2006, providing team funding and sponsorships, invaluable mentorship, employee volunteerism, and event hosting. Medtronic is now expanding its support to work with FIRST to further STEM education and innovation by expanding pathways for technical talent for future generations.

"Our commitment to FIRST extends beyond financial support," said Medtronic chairman and CEO Geoff Martha. "We invest in the next generation of scientists and engineers by volunteering as team mentors, serving as competition judges, and hosting off-season events — because empowering young innovators today means shaping the leaders of tomorrow."

As a leading global healthcare technology company, Medtronic seeks solutions to even the most challenging health conditions. Medtronic technology and therapies range from cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Through these advances, they have been able to treat and support over 70 different health conditions. Medtronic seeks well-rounded individuals with strong STEM capabilities and leadership skills for their talent pipeline, and they are nurturing their future workforce through their strategic support of FIRST.

Medtronic joins over 20 organizations (including one federal agency) that have achieved the top-tier recognition for sponsorship of FIRST through their generous and impactful support. Together, these Strategic Partners provide volunteerism, equipment, mentorship, funding, and more to enhance the reach and overall impact of FIRST.

“FIRST is ecstatic to announce that our long-time sponsor, Medtronic, has expanded its support and is now a Strategic Partner,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “Both FIRST and Medtronic are passionate about using STEM to inspire students to create a healthier future. Medtronic is committed to engineering the extraordinary, proven by their dedication to future generations. Through this partnership, students will learn more about the potential in the medical technology world, as well as how FIRST can unlock amazing careers in these sectors.”

Throughout their nearly twenty years of support, Medtronic employees have volunteered as team mentors, regional competition judges, event organizers, and more. More recently, Medtronic has expanded its presence by sponsoring multiple regional events across the United States, in regions such as Minnesota, Colorado, New England, and beyond.

For more information about FIRST programs and sponsorship opportunities, please contact development@firstinspires.org.

About FIRST^®

About Medtronic

Medtronic is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.

Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary.

Press Room

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FIRST Appoints Industry Experts Driving Innovation in Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Science Encouragement to Board of Directors | FIRST

Executives from Clearpath Robotics, Altair and 3M Company Join the Board of the World’s Largest Youth Robotics Nonprofit

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Presenting Sponsor BAE Systems, Other Global Supporters Cheered on more than 19,000 Students from 66 Countries Playing the Only Sport Where Every Kid Can Go Pro

Event Marks Culmination of 2024-2025 Robotics Season, FIRST® DIVESM Presented by Qualcomm Incorporated

BAE Systems, Inc. to Return as Presenting Sponsor for 2025 FIRST® Championship Event | FIRST

50,000 students, supporters and industry leaders from around the globe to congregate in Houston during world’s largest youth STEM celebration

FIRST and Medtronic Partner to Encourage Students to Pursue Medical Technology Careers through STEM | FIRST

Medtronic, a leading global healthcare technology company, signs on as a FIRST Strategic Partner; Medtronic to continue to expand opportunities in robotics to all students

More than 115,000 Middle and High-School Students Worldwide Will Dig into an Archeology-Themed Game During the 2025-2026 Season of FIRST^® Tech Challenge

Event Marks Culmination of 2024-2025 Robotics Season, FIRST^® DIVE^SM Presented by Qualcomm Incorporated