About Us

FIRST® in Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation and delivery partner of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM through robotics. Each year, FIRST in Texas engages more than 30,000 Texas students and 3,300 teams through hands-on robotics programs, professional development, and world-class events.

Our programs are More Than Robots®. Students gain critical skills in problem-solving, communication, and leadership, preparing them to thrive in college, careers, and life. Together with thousands of volunteers, educators, and corporate partners, we are building the future STEM workforce for Texas.

Our Purpose

FIRST® exists to prepare the young people of today for the world of tomorrow. Our vision is to inspire a culture where science and technology are celebrated and students dream of becoming the next generation of STEM innovators and leaders.

At FIRST in Texas, we carry this vision forward by providing life-changing robotics programs that equip young people across Texas with the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world.

Our Core Values

The FIRST® Core Values are fundamental to FIRST and unique to its programs. They emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement and are part of our commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of unity.

Gracious Professionalism®

At FIRST, fierce competition and mutual gain coexist. Participants compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy. There is no trash talking, nor disingenuous platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

Coopertition®

At FIRST, Coopertition means that teams help and cooperate with each other, even as they compete. It's about learning from teammates, teaching others, collaborating with mentors, managing and being managed. Coopertition embodies the spirit of competing while assisting and enabling others whenever possible

Our History

Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST® has become a global nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through mentor-based robotics programs. Over the years, FIRST has grown into the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM, supported by volunteers, educators, and more than 200 Fortune 500 companies.

FIRST in Texas was established in 2010 to bring this vision to students across the state. Since then, we have grown to support more than 30,000 students and 3,300 teams annually. Through strategic partnerships, team grants, professional development for educators, and world-class competitions, FIRST in Texas has become one of the largest and most impactful statewide affiliates, preparing the next generation of Texas innovators and leaders.

History of FIRST HQ